Havana, Apr 1 (RHC), -- Cuban athletes, coaches and other sports figures began earning higher wages as of Monday as an incentive to improve performance, state daily 'Granma' said.

"The policy outlined by the government to improve sports, generate revenue and (boost) competition takes effect Monday," the daily said.

The salary increases, announced in September 2013, are retroactive to January, and in the case of baseball, to November, when the current National Series began.

While still low by international standards, the salaries mark a significant rise in income for athletes.

Like most Cubans, athletes earned an average of 500 Cuban pesos a month, but will now make 1000 to 5000, depending on their level and sport.

According to the National Sports Institute (INDER), the policy identifies six earning brackets, starting with high-performance athletes, which includes Olympic medalists, world champions, Pan American and regional games winners, members of national squads and their backups, and baseball players in the national championship. The classifications will be reviewed each year depending on the achievements of the athletes.

The policy also provides monthly bonuses to active or retired athletes and coaches who take first place, ranging from 1,250 Cuban pesos for a Pan American gold medal to 800 pesos for a Central American and Caribbean Games gold medal.

Individual and collective international awards will be distributed with 80 percent going to the athletes, 15 percent to the coaches, and 5 percent to the specialists.
Athletes will have to pay 10 percent of their income in taxes, and the state will take 4 percent of any international or national awards.