Cargando...Early in the morning on September 25, members of the municipal and provincial electoral councils of Las Tunas left their offices to discuss the Draft Law of the Labor Code. Participating informally in the process was Osnay Miguel Colina Rodríguez, president of the Organizing Commission for the 22nd Congress of the CTC.
The consultation methodology was rigorously followed, and initial opinions quickly emerged around the concept of dignified employment—a much broader idea that needs clearer definition in the law. Likewise, the distinction between being self-employed and being an individual worker was raised. The suggestion to include a glossary of terms in the annexes of the approved document quickly gained traction.
Positive feedback was given regarding the protections established in the new Code, which—unlike the current one—ensures that no worker is left unprotected if not only a state entity but also a private microenterprise (Mipyme) is dissolved. This points to greater protection, and several voices emphasized that this is fair and necessary.
The issue of setting the legal working age at 18 did not go unnoticed. Several interventions proposed reducing the working hours from 7 to 6 for adolescents who, by exception, begin working at a younger age.
Other aspects highlighted during the consultation included unpaid leave, mandatory insurance for self-employed workers, the shift from the concept of “proven suitability” to “demonstrated capability,” and the innovative approach to material responsibility introduced by the Code.
In his remarks during the debate, Colina emphasized the importance of consciously understanding this legal norm so that, once approved, it can be properly followed—not just consulted when problems arise. “It’s a Code that is deeply contextualized with national changes and international labor demands,” he noted.
“I can assure you that we are debating an authentic and unique Labor Code in the world, because we are building it together. And with more rights and more guarantees, we will better defend the society we want and the revolutionary process that has brought us here,” he concluded.
Acerca del autor
Máster en Ciencias de la Comunicación. Director del Periódico Trabajadores desde el 1 de julio del 2024. Editor-jefe de la Redacción Deportiva desde 2007. Ha participado en coberturas periodísticas de Juegos Centroamericanos y del Caribe, Juegos Panamericanos, Juegos Olímpicos, Copa Intercontinental de Béisbol, Clásico Mundial de Béisbol, Campeonatos Mundiales de Judo, entre otras. Profesor del Instituto Internacional de Periodismo José Martí, en La Habana, Cuba.
