Jesús Otamendiz López, Cuba’s Minister of Labor and Social Security, denounced this Wednesday before the 114th International Labor Conference in Geneva the impact of the United States’ economic, commercial, and financial blockade against the island, which includes the total interruption of fuel supplies for more than five months.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website, Cubaminrex, the head of the Cuban delegation stated that the measures aim to provoke a humanitarian crisis and directly affect workers and their families.
He also declared that in the area of labor, emergency protocols have been activated in Cuba to relocate employees and guarantee income during the interruption of their work due to the energy shortage.
According to the minister, workers are guaranteed 100% of their salary during the first month of inactivity, and 60% starting in the second month. Meanwhile, social support for vulnerable individuals is being strengthened through an increase in social workers and the budget allocated to assistance.
Otamendiz announced that the proposed new Labor Code, the result of a consultation process with labor collectives, will soon be presented to the Cuban Parliament. This code will expand rights and guarantees in all sectors.
The minister emphasized that the Cuban government’s priority is to protect workers and their families under any circumstances, and reiterated that Cuba is a nation of peace, although it will defend its sovereignty in the event of military aggression.
In his address, he called on the international community to prevent the continued deprivation of the Cuban population’s livelihoods and expressed his gratitude for the expressions of solidarity received during the Conference, which brings together representatives from the 187 member states of the International Labor Organization.
IMAGE CREDIT: ACN | Photo taken from Cubaminrex
[ SOURCE: AGENCIA CUBANA DE NOTICIAS ]
