Establishing a more coherent relationship between supply and demand of qualified workers, promoting professional development and updating of knowledge, as well as improving the innovation system and income distribution, are strategic guidelines intended to address employment problems in the country.

Toward this end, a total of 57 measures to be implemented immediately, in the short and medium term, proposed by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security and the University of Havana’s Economics Department were recently evaluated by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, during a review of employment programs.

According to the Presidency’s official website, during the meeting, Díaz-Canel stressed the need to consider offsite work, with adequate supervision and contracts adhering to the Labor Code. He called for studies to determine in which sectors of the economy this modality would be feasible.

Revolutionizing our thinking about employment issues and applying research findings were emphasized by the President.

Programs addressing the country’s demographics were also discussed, including efforts to provide medical support to infertile couples who would like to have children.

Marino Murillo Jorge, head of the Policy Implementation and Development Commission, reported that there are 113,148 such couples identified within the Public Health system, who are of childbearing age, have stable sexual relations, and have tried to have a child for more than a year without success. Of that number, some 102,900 have been assisted, with 7,080 pregnancies achieved.Also discussed was progress on approved government measures to provide financing to mothers with three or more children under 12 years of age, for the rehabilitation, maintenance, and construction of their homes, in 32 municipalities where the population is not growing. Some 50 million pesos were allocated, but implementation of the plan has been slow.

IN CONTEXT

With 20.4% of Cuba’s population 60 years of age or older, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics and Information (ONEI), the country is experiencing accelerated aging.Between 2011 and 2025, the population is projected to decrease in absolute numbers; and almost 26% of the population will be 60 years of age or older, with a absolute growth of those aged 80 years or more. By 2030, the population will include 3.3 million older adults, directly impacting families and the workforce.SOURCE: Ministry of Labor and Social Security, Granma.

(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)