Employment rates up

BY SARA MAS—Granma daily staff writer—

WITH the creation of new jobs and the implementation of several programs in 2003, Cuba attained a 68% employment rate by the end of last year, representing a five point increase over eight years, as was announced yesterday during the annual meeting of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.

That indicator is in the range of target figures for the European Union for 2010, while at the same time, unemployment in Cuba stands at 2.3%, one of the lowest rates in the world, noted Minister Alfredo Morales Cartaya.

Last year, a total of 128,122 new jobs were created, 48% of them in the eastern provinces and mainly benefiting young people and women.

Morales added that the country has achieved full employment status, an indicator the International Labor Organization (ILO) establishes when the unemployment rate fluctuates between 2-6%, and there is an existing capacity for a rapid response to job demand for jobs with decent work.

In addition to the new posts generated by the Revolution’s programs, including the training courses for social workers, student teachers, nurses, health technicians, and the opening of video rooms, a key pillar in that strategy has been that of study-as-work. It has been developed on the basis of the creation and continuity of a comprehensive educational improvement program for young people who are not working or in school, more than 100,900 students are currently enrolled.

Added to that total are the 43,121 sugar workers who decided to enroll in full-time study after the restructuring of that industry, in a context of salary and labor policies guaranteeing that the income protection for that sector’s workers.

Through the urban agriculture program, 9,074 new jobs were created, although it has not yet reached the necessary stability in terms of incorporating workers due to organizational problems, training, conditions and other reasons.

During 2003, 15,412 persons with disabilities were also placed in work, 87% of them in regular jobs and a further 2,170 enrolled into training centers for social and work skills.

In general germs, the impact of the island’s employment policy is also reflected in an increased rate of activity, estimated at 70%, indicating the relationship between the number of people who are economically active and the labor-age population.

In the area of social security, various steps have been taken in attention to mothers with severely disabled children. Different plans with this group are being followed up this year, focussing on giving attention to non-working mothers within this group.

While modest advances were acknowledged in the areas of workers’ health and safety, a warning was sounded on the incipient resurgence of accidents caused by negligence and noncompliance with standards.