Cargando...“Without the leading role of workers in the process of implementing the ongoing economic and social transformations, it will not be possible to achieve the increased production levels that the country needs. Therefore, for the CTC (Workers’ Central Union of Cuba, in Spanish), its national unions, and the National Association of Innovators and Rationalizers, this is a matter of utmost priority,” declared José Antonio Pérez Pérez in an exclusive interview with Trabajadores.
The member of the National Secretariat of the Workers’ Central Union of Cuba is part of the group responsible for training union cadres and leaders throughout the country on the role of the labor movement and the proletariat in the current economic, political, and social circumstances in Cuba.
Also being studied in the corresponding seminars is Law 189, the Labor Code, enacted in July of this year by the National Assembly of People’s Power, which updates the Cuban legal framework for labor matters in accordance with the current Constitution of the Republic, the approved amendments, and the international commitments assumed by Cuba regarding labor rights.
How is the training of union leaders and cadres progressing on these topics?
“By agreement of the CTC National Secretariat, it was decided to dedicate the month of October to specialized training for union leaders and workers on the economic and social transformations already underway, as well as the legal norms that implement them.
To this end, a program was organized throughout the country, allowing us to hold seminars in the five eastern provinces, Camagüey, Ciego de Ávila, Mayabeque, and Artemisa, with the participation of more than 600 union leaders and cadres.
This week we are offering them in Sancti Spíritus, Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Matanzas, Pinar del Río, and the Isle of Youth.
What are the objectives of this training beyond simply providing it to union leaders and officials?
«It has been argued that the main purpose of these transformations is to save the nation, the Revolution, and the achievements of socialism, as well as to unleash productive forces to create wealth and distribute it with the greatest possible social justice. Therefore, we are making every effort to ensure that these transformations are studied in every workplace, that they are understood by the workers, and that they can then be included in all planning for the coming year, impacting the growth of activity levels, production, and services».
So, what topics are covered in the seminars for union leaders and officials?
Besides economic and social transformations and the legal framework for implementing them, the seminars examine the responsibilities assumed by the labor movement in representing members and workers under Law 189, the Labor Code.
The training emphasizes Article 475, which stipulates that fundamental decisions within a workplace are analyzed and approved by the General Assembly of members and workers, as the highest body of the union and a forum for active worker participation.
A third topic addresses the role of unions and workers in implementing Decree Law 120, which grants greater autonomy to state-owned socialist enterprises. This decree law includes an entire chapter dedicated to worker participation, covering issues of paramount importance.
To cite just two examples, worker participation is mandatory in the plan’s development process and also in the monthly evaluation of its implementation and compliance, in assemblies of members and workers.
There is also the preparation regarding the powers granted within the business system for the approval of the salary system by the entity’s highest-ranking official, in agreement with the union, and its analysis in assemblies of members and workers—a process already underway that also requires union leadership oversight of workers’ active participation in this approval and, above all, that it has an impact on the growth of goods and services production.
It is vital to ensure that workers participate in, and that the wage system of each company is approved and discussed in assemblies.
A fifth issue we are exploring in depth is worker participation in the development and approval of the 2027 economic plan, for which prior knowledge of the transformations within the workforce is essential.
In this regard, we can say that to date, more than 50,000 assemblies have been held in workplaces with the participation of 1.8 million workers, which puts us in a position to continue monitoring the process in assemblies with workers for the development of the economic plan and the budget for the remainder of the year.
Does the training conclude in October?
«This is an ongoing process; we’re not going to stop. As long as legal regulations continue to be approved that impact the improvement of the lives of the people and workers, we will provide specialized training on them.»
