The Minister of Labor and Social Security, Jesús Otamendiz Campos, confirmed on the television program Mesa Redonda that the labor measures adopted to address the current energy blockade. They are based on the essential principle of comprehensive protection for workers and their families.
During his remarks, the minister emphasized that the priority is not work interruption. Rather the relocation of workers to activities that allow them to maintain their employment and avoid impacts on their income. “The number one priority is job relocation. Not interruption,” he insisted.
Job Relocation: Central Focus of the Measures
Otamendiz explained that, whenever conditions permit, alternatives such as remote work, teleworking, job changes, or adjustments to the workday should be implemented. However, when these options are not viable, relocation to other tasks of social and economic value becomes necessary.
In this regard, he pointed out that there are ample opportunities to employ the available workforce in strategic sectors with high community impact, including:
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Local food production, in line with the food sovereignty policy.
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Community services, such as solid waste collection and community sanitation.
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Support for individuals and groups in vulnerable situations.
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Support for educational processes, given the shortage of teaching staff in the region.
The minister emphasized that these actions not only contribute to the country’s economic and social development. Also allow workers to remain active and productive, preserving their role within society.
Wage Guarantees: Legal Support for Workers
The Minister of Labor and Social Security reiterated that current legislation includes wage guarantees to protect workers in the event of work interruption.
Initially, 100 percent of the basic salary is guaranteed during the first month of interruption. Regardless of whether it is continuous or intermittent. That is, it can accumulate over several days until the end of the month.
Starting in the second month, 60 percent of the basic salary will be paid, provided the work stoppage continues. This funding can be covered by the companies themselves through their reserves. Or, in certain duly justified cases, with support from the State budget, subject to prior approval.
However, the minister emphasized that this option should not become the norm. “It is always preferable to be reassigned and receiving a salary than to be on 60 percent pay cut,” he stated. Highlighting the economic and social impact of reduced income for the worker and their family.
Institutional Control and Responsibility
Otamendiz stressed the need for a rigorous control system to ensure the proper application of these measures and prevent workers from being left unprotected.
In this framework, the municipal labor offices play a key role. As they are responsible for coordinating the supply and demand of employment in each territory, in conjunction with employers and state entities. He also specified that:
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Entities have the direct responsibility to prevent the interruption of their employees’ work.
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They must actively seek alternative employment opportunities before resorting to this measure.
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It is essential to prioritize positions in the productive and service sectors, avoiding unnecessary growth in administrative staff.
For their part, the agencies of the Central State Administration and local administrative councils must oversee compliance with labor policy. While the labor inspectorate is empowered to audit, detect violations, and demand the restoration of legality.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Security maintains continuous monitoring of the labor situation in the country. According to the minister, the Council of Ministers is informed monthly about the trends in work interruptions. The relocation of workers, and the main incidents detected.
In a context marked by energy tensions, the authorities insist that the key is to make the most of the workforce trained over many years. Guaranteeing its protection and active contribution to the country’s economic and social programs. Cuba Doubles Social Workforce and Strengthens Protection Networks Amid Crisis
Faced with the tightening of the blockade and severe energy limitations. The Cuban government has prioritized strengthening its social welfare system as a fundamental pillar for protecting vulnerable people. This was confirmed on the Round Table program by the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Jesús Otamendiz Campos, who provided details.
The creation of new commissions to monitor social policies and an unprecedented increase in the number of social workers over the last two years.
Also the Minister reported that, since the second half of 2025, commissions for addressing social policies have been established throughout the country. This nationwide structure extends to the grassroots level, to the local People’s Councils.
Chaired by a Deputy Prime Minister at the national level, by governors in the provinces, by mayors in the municipalities, and by the presidents of the People’s Councils in their districts. These commissions are tasked with ensuring a comprehensive approach to problems that cut across sectors. Such as education, health, sports, culture, housing, employment, and social security.
“No social problem can be addressed in a sectoral or isolated manner.” “It must be viewed holistically,” emphasized Otamendiz. Also who explained that these commissions function as multidisciplinary groups that coordinate with various organizations and institutions to evaluate and monitor the impact of implemented policies.
As an example, he illustrated the complexity of a family where a child with learning difficulties, an elderly person with health conditions, and a young person who has dropped out of school converge—a reality that demands the coordinated intervention of all community stakeholders.
The ultimate goal, he affirmed, is “to contribute to the design, implementation, and monitoring of people-centered social policies.” Evaluating whether they truly transform the realities for which they were conceived and optimizing the use of resources.
Political Will in Times of Scarcity
Otamendiz highlighted the substantial increase in the social work workforce as a demonstration of political will. While the country had 7,327 social workers in 2023, the approved staffing level has now reached 17,513. Of which 14,397 positions are already filled. “The number of social workers has doubled in the last two years,” he emphasized.
This quantitative growth has been accompanied by a boost in professional training. The minister reported that more than 2,841 social work technicians have graduated. With a current enrollment of 4,999 students at that level.
In addition, 355 senior technicians have graduated. As a milestone for the current academic year. A university degree program in Social Work was launched, with 727 students enrolled in nine provinces, and plans are underway to extend it nationwide in the next academic year. “We need to move from a welfare-based approach to a transformative one,” he stated. Emphasizing the need to prepare social workers to empower individuals and families to develop their own capacities and resilience to overcome situations of vulnerability.
“We always say it: in a vulnerable situation, because being a mother of three or more children doesn’t mean being vulnerable. It depends on the circumstances, the income, the family’s level of education,” the minister clarified.
Recalling a maxim of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro, who asked that we not speak in terms of percentages but of names and families. Otamendiz insisted on the need for personalized attention: “There are no social problems, there are people, there are homes, there are families with specific social problems that we must address with this comprehensive approach.”
Transportation: Necessary Adjustments to Maintain Essential Services
For his part, the Minister of Transportation, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, offered an update on the situation of the sector. Severely impacted by the fuel shortage, the lack of spare parts, and infrastructure problems. As previously announced, it was necessary to implement drastic adjustments that included reducing national bus departures to a quarter. One daily departure to and from each provincial capital and scheduling national trains every eight days.
Approximately one month after the implementation of these measures, Rodríguez reported that 1,716 bus trips have been made nationwide. This figure is in addition to 282 extra trips arranged to meet the specific needs of people who visited local government offices. Allowing for the transport of more than 90,000 passengers. On the railway, the 24 trains planned in the program ran, plus three additional trains to facilitate the transport of students and teachers, thus moving more than 40,000 passengers.
In maritime transport, ferry departures were reduced to two per week, with 11 trips carried out. Transporting 94,060 passengers, always subject to weather conditions. Domestic flights continued with adjustments, while other lower-priority services and local transport were readjusted to prioritize essential services such as health, education, and electric bicycles. Often with the collaboration of state and private entities through the incorporation of ecomobiles.
The Minister of Transportation also noted that, due to the critical situation. It was necessary to temporarily halt most road construction projects. Such as the one underway in Villa Clara between Ranchuelo and San Juan de los Yeras, as well as work on terminals and stations. He assured that these projects would resume as soon as conditions allow.
Rodríguez explained that, given the acute fuel shortage, the decision was made to prioritize vital services. “Special effort was made to ensure the transportation of the 12,800 students at the special education school. A very sensitive service that is provided daily,” he stated. Detailing that these transportations were supported with the limited resources available.
Regarding hemodialysis patients, the minister indicated that various alternatives were implemented in response to the fuel shortage. “In some cases, patients were hospitalized. In other cases, they traveled by taxi or tricycle,” he explained. Adding that all of this has been possible thanks to “the great support of all transporters nationwide, the authorities, and also a certain understanding from the population, because the restrictions are truly evident.”
Port Operations and Cargo
Despite the difficulties, the minister assured that all port operations have been guaranteed. “The unloading of all arriving ships and all the donations we have received has been ensured,” he stated.
He revealed that, on average, 300 containers are being removed daily from the Mariel terminal. Containing food, medical supplies, industrial inputs, and parts for the electrical recovery program, such as photovoltaic solar parks.
To achieve this, Rodríguez explained that he holds a daily videoconference meeting with the entire country, the Port-Transport-Foreign Economy Operation. To “make the necessary arrangements and ensure that everything that arrives reaches its destination, amidst many limitations and complexities.”
The minister emphasized that the crisis has not halted investment. “We haven’t stopped any of the projects we were already developing. On the contrary, we’ve tried to accelerate them,” he asserted. As an example, he cited the acquisition of 25 electric ambulances, 150 electric tricycles (currently being distributed) And 15 electric vehicles for funeral services in Havana, a program that will be extended nationwide.
In the health sector, a transportation service for healthcare personnel in the capital was launched with 34 vehicles. Rodríguez described the fleet as “completely insufficient,” but noted that more than 3,900 trips have already been made, transporting over 200,000 passengers.
“We are very sensitive to the need for healthcare personnel, who sacrifice so much, to be able to get to and from work with relative ease,” he stressed.
He also announced the distribution of 64 vehicles to the provinces to support the mobility of patients, healthcare personnel, and the maternal and child health program.
Legalization and Regulation of Transportation
One of the most significant measures announced is a new census to legalize so-called “composite vehicles,” primarily motorcycles and tricycles. “Together with the Ministry of the Interior, we will carry out a legalization process for these vehicles that contribute to mobility,” explained the minister. This measure will also allow their owners to access the fuel voucher system.
Along the same lines, the vehicle marketing policy is being updated. Rodríguez announced that import taxes will be waived for those who bring electric vehicles into the country along with charging stations powered by solar panels, as part of the energy transformation strategy.
Looking ahead, the minister detailed an ambitious plan that includes the assembly of 100 eco-mobiles in the provinces of Sancti Spiritus and Holguin, and the distribution of 150 electric tricycles to all municipalities in the country. Starting in the eastern region, each with its own charging station to avoid impacting the National Electrical System.
Additionally, work is underway to build charging stations along the national highway. And the route minibus service will be expanded to the rest of the provinces.
“There are diverse projects, and we are not stopping,” concluded Rodríguez, who summarized the ministry’s strategy in four main areas: financial sustainability, energy sustainability, social impact, and environmental impact.
With information from cubadebate.cu/Web Editorial Staff
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