- During his stop at La Demajagua National Park, where Cuba’s independence struggle was launched, he observed a moment of silence, and speaking with staff emphasized the importance of caring for the historic site.
- The President applauded the environmental and scientific efforts being made at the crocodile breeding station in Manzanillo.
- Next on the morning agenda were two plants in Manzanillo devoted to forging spare parts for the sugar industry.
- The people of Granma came out onto the streets wherever the President stopped to enthusiastically greet him, express affection, and reiterate their commitment to the continuity of the Revolution.
- At the “Eighth Congress” agricultural cooperative, the President confirmed progress made in the cultivation of grains, which has contributed to reducing imports.
- In the provincial capital of Bayamo, Díaz-Canel visited an ice cream and cheese plant, and toured the site where a 5,000 cubic meter water tank was recently constructed to improve service in the city’s northern neighborhoods.

(Granma)

According to a report presented by Margarita González Fernández, minister of Labor and Social Security, currently gainfully employed in Cuba are 4,474,800 persons. Of these, a bit more than three million work in the state sector, while some 1.3 million are active in the non-state sector (self-employed, cooperative members, etc.)

She explained that as a result of the rationalizing process underway since 2009, inflated workplace rosters have been reduced, within both budgeted entities and state enterprises, while employment in the private sector has increased.
In terms of priorities in access to jobs, she noted recent graduates from universities, technical-professional high schools, trade schools, and active military service programs, as well as individuals on prison work-release, the disabled, and unemployed.

The minister also discussed instability in the workforce in certain areas, above all in the medical, educational, technical, and economic fields. Among factors causing workers to leave these positions, she identified low salaries and long distances to workplaces, as well as personal interests.

First Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa addressed the level of underemployment persisting in the country, and commented that many people are conducting economic activities without authorization, and therefore not paying taxes.
He argued for efforts to make employment opportunities more attractive, especially as part of municipal development programs, citing the example of mechanization in agriculture that has humanized work in the fields.

President Díaz-Canel emphasized the importance of implementing Guideline 143, approved at the Sixth Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba, to promote the incorporation into the workforce of everyone able to do so, especially youth, so they can contribute to society and satisfy their needs in a meaningful way.

He insisted that central state administration bodies must ensure that their subordinated entities are paying attention to recent graduates, so that after completing their year of social service, these young workers remain in the position. If we want them to stay, he said, they must feel part of things, their opinions must be heeded, and they must be involved in decision-making.

He noted that entities must do a better job of managing human resources, not simply relying on customary assignments of graduates, but rather make an effort to attract personnel. Alternatives must be found and strategies designed to find the specialists and workers needed, he said.

Díaz-Canel also highlighted the importance of defending the Labor Code, the legal framework approved in June of 2014, which is on occasion violated in the private sector, where vacations are denied, and specific physical features required for employment in certain positions. This must be detected and stopped, he said, adding that this is not why we made the Revolution.

The President’s working meeting also included a review of several investment projects underway in the country, which will have a significant impact on the economy.

On this occasion, those making accountability reports included the steelworks Antillana de Acero in Havana and Acinox in Las Tunas; the Sosa chlorine plant in Sagua la Grande; as well as the fuel storage capacity-building program.

The director of Antillana de Acero, Miguel Ángel Solarana Reyes, indicated that the investment project at the steelworks is conceived in two phases, the first of which involves recuperating a capacity of 250,000 tons of molten steel a year. The second stage should make possible stable production of 420,000 tons of molten steel annually and 350,000 tons of plates.
Solarana referred to the need to stabilize the workforce to maintain current production levels and those projected for the future, specifically young university graduates.

The report on investments at the steelworks was well-received, and Comptroller General Gladys Berejano noted that the state company’s bookkeeping was evaluated as satisfactory during a recent audit.

It was reported that Acinox in Las Tunas is working on an investment project to replace outdated technology on the 200 T rolling mill, with the goal of expanding annual capacity to 150,000 tons of corrugated rods and 20,000 of steel wire.
The company’s director, Eraldo González Ávila, stated that despite delays in assuring financing, the process is going well, and the Comptroller General’s audit found everything in acceptable order. At this time, work is underway to repair bays where the new rolling mill and wire area will be installed.

Díaz-Canel emphasized the importance of this project to the broad construction effort underway in Cuba, and to expanding exports.

The investment process at the Sosa chlorine plant in Sagua la Grande was described as one that has not had positive results. The lack of financing; delays in the delivery of domestically produced and imported materials; logistical shortcomings; and a shortage of qualified workers have kept the project from advancing on schedule.

Also analyzed during the meeting were investments being made to expand storage capacity for fuel, including construction of new tanks, maintenance of existing ones, and the recuperation of those that are out of service. The President described this effort as strategic to the development and sovereignty of the country.

(Granma)

Necessary measures were adopted to address shortfalls in production and distribution of soy yogurt, beer, wheat and corn flour, salt, pasta, and construction materials.

Addressing another sensitive issue, Díaz-Canel stressed that unscrupulous individuals must not be allowed to take advantage of government programs established to support Cuban families in the repair and construction of homes.

Also announced during the meeting were plans for summer recreational activities in Havana, while a report was presented on progress being made in repairing facilities in the city, as part of preparations for its 500th anniversary next year.

(Granma)

The Trabajadores websitenoted that Díaz-Canel was accompanied by deputy minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and Political Bureau member, Army Corps General Ra­món Espinosa Martín, as ministers and deputy ministers of different sectors of the economy provided an up-date on progress being made in recovery efforts.

According to the report, despite the millions of pesos worth of damage caused by the hurricane, the recovery stage is advancing with the aim of repairing and improving the quality of homes, state facilities, productive areas, and services.

Díaz-Canel highlighted the country’s swift response to the disaster, sending thousands of workers from different sectors; as well as food, information-communication technologies, equipment, construction materials and other essential resources for the population, to the affected areas.

In Maisí, Cuba’s first vice president visited mini-industries dedicated to the local production of construction materials, and the site where a new neighborhood will be built, in collaboration with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela’s Petro­casas initiative. Meanwhile in Baracoa, Díaz-Canel visited the area where Matthew destroyed the bridge over the River Toa, one of the country’s largest rivers.

Radio Baracoa reported that the Cuban official inquired about the alternative overpass being built alongside the former bridge, which will facilitate overland communication with the mining municipality of Moa.

Díaz-Canel also held a fraternal encounter at Baracoa’s Gustavo Rizo airport with renowned visual artist Alexis Leyva Machado (Kcho), who updated the Cuban official on actions he is undertaking to contribute to recovery efforts.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed their commitment to continue working on strengthening bilateral relations, and increasing economic-commercial, cultural, scientific and educational ties.

Also attending the meeting were Thomas Karl Neisinger, German ambassador in Cuba, and other members of the visiting delegation.

Additionally participating on the Cuban side were Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz, minister of Foreign Trade and Investment, as well as other officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the National Assembly of People’s Power.

Sigmar Gabriel held meetings with Cuban Minister of Foreign Relations

Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla; Economy and Planning, Marino Murillo Jorge; and Foreign Trade and Investment, Rodrigo Malmierca, as well.

Scheduled today, January 8, are meetings with the ministers of Energy and Mining, Alfredo López Valdés; and Industry, Salvador Pardo Cruz.

(Granma)

During the fraternal meeting the two leaders discussed the historic ties between their peoples; the positive state of bilateral relations; the existent political commitment to strengthen and expand the relationship in spheres with untapped potential; in addition to issues of regional and international interest.

Accompanying the distinguished guest were Socorro Flores Liera, Yanerit Morgan Sotomayor and Ana Paola Barbosa, under secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean, director general for the region, and ministry official respectively, as well as Mexico’s ambassador in Cuba, Juan José Bremer de Martino.

On the Cuban side, also present were Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla; Deputy Minister Rogelio Sierra Díaz; Director General for Latin America and the Caribbean Manuel Aguilera de la Paz; and Cuban ambassador in Mexico, Dagoberto Rodríguez Barrera.

(Granma)

During the meeting, compañero Díaz-Canel and the distinguished guest discussed the good relations between Cuba and the Holy See. They also exchanged on other issues of international concern.

Accompanying Cardinal Parolin were Monsignor Angelo Becciu, substitute of the Secretariat of State; Monsignor Paul R. Gallagher, secretary for Relations with States; and Monsignor Giorgio Lingua, Apostolic Nuncio in Havana. On the Cuban side were Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla and Cuba’s Ambassador to the Holy See, Rodney López Clemente.

(Granma)

“We want to ratify our willingness to continue fostering and maintaining this dialogue on the basis of unity and respect and without any distinction,” Díaz-Canel stated, while stressing that all recognized religions in the country are treated equally.

The agenda included discussion of issues such as the context of Cuba-U.S. relations, plurality and interfaith dialogue, as well as information regarding Pope Francis’ visit to our country from September 19-22.

The meeting was also attended by Caridad Diego, head of the Office of Religious Affairs of the Party Central Committee, and Miriam García, director of Associations of the Ministry of Justice.

(Granma)