Cuba's Parliament Ratifies Decrees, Approves New Labor Code

Cuba's National Assembly has ratified decrees and agreements issued by the Council of State, solidifying legal frameworks for international relations and foreign investment. The Assembly approved six decrees and 91 agreements covering bilateral and multilateral treaties, ambassadorial appointments, and foreign investment modalities. These actions underscore the government's ongoing efforts to manage international commitments and economic development.

The Assembly also gave its approval to a new Labor Code, a significant legislative update designed to modernize labor relations in Cuba. This new code replaces the 2013 law and is intended to align with the nation's 2019 Constitution, its evolving economic and social landscape, and international labor standards. The update reflects directives from the Communist Party's VIII Congress and harmonizes labor law with other recent legislation.

Minister of Labor and Social Security Jesús Otamendiz Campos highlighted that the new code is the product of extensive consultation with various institutions. It is structured into four books covering general provisions, individual and collective labor rights, and labor administration. Key innovations include strengthening the concept of dignified work, clarifying employer prohibitions, and adapting to economic reforms by, for example, eliminating administrative authorization for multiple jobs in certain professions and establishing an annual minimum wage.

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The Labor Code presented is the result of specialized consultation with bodies, organizations, and institutions and has an integrating character.