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OFFICIAL VOICE OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF CUBA CENTRAL COMMITTEE

Improving employment situation for women and youth (+ Photos)

Commission delegates responsible for addressing children’s and youth issues as well as women’s equality, reviewed the employment situation affecting these groups

Author: | informacion@granma.cu

Yoerky Sánchez Cuellar, vice president of the Commission on Children, Youth and Women’s Equality, speaking during the group’s first discussion prior to the 7th Period of Ordinary Sessions of the 8th Legislature of the National Assembly of People’s Power, noted the importance of a young workforce and women’s participation in Cuban working life.
He highlighted that, of young people interviewed across five provinces (Granma, Holguín, Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo and Matanzas), although most 15-16 year olds choose to continue their studies, those taking on their first job are unfamiliar with their rights and duties, beyond what is expected of them at their workplace, noting that young people working in the non-state sector are satisfied with the possibility of earning more than they would in the state sector.
Many young people expressed their desire to take training courses or continue their studies, and make the most of education programs established in the Labor Code.
Sánchez noted the concerns of professional graduates from universities, polytechnical high schools, and special education institutions who did not receive a job placement.
In regards to women, he noted that interviews took place across seven provinces (Cienfuegos, Guantánamo, Holguín, La Habana, Granma, Santiago de Cuba and Matanzas) where deputies spoke to over 700 female employees and 11 managers in 51 workplaces.
Sánchez highlighted that those linked to production and services are generally unfamiliar with the Labor Code, and thus fail to use it as an effective tool. He also noted a lack of knowledge around maternity rights of women working in the private sector.
A lack of suitable breastfeeding facilities was noted in workplaces visited, while female employees highlighted that a flexible timetable would encourage them to continue this practice, so important for newborns, he stated.
In regards to the agriculture sector, Sánchez Cuéllar noted the need for greater support for women working in agricultural production, highlighting the need to address their concerns.
Freddy Luis Sánchez, deputy from the municipality of Cumanayagua (Cienfuegos province), stated that women working in agricultural face the greatest discrimination, and that the sector must focus efforts on improving working conditions for this demographic of the population.
Meanwhile, Rosmery Santiesteban municipal delegate for Yara (Granma province) noted the need to address risks to women working in the sector by centering efforts on developing protective measures.