Official press acknowledges the existence of child labor in Cuba.

This week, the Cuban state-run press acknowledged the existence of cases of child labor in the country, a problem that reflects the complexity of the current socio-economic context.

In Cuba, the law prohibits child labor and protects the rights of minors, according to the Constitution and the Labor Code. However, educational institutions in Santiago de Cuba, such as IPU-Cuqui Bosch and Secondary School Espino Fernández, have identified cases of child labor in their communities.

A study by the Sierra Maestra newspaper revealed cases of primary school students skipping class to work. They arrive late or are absent from school to help their families, something that the regime criticized for decades, blaming capitalism and ensuring that "such things don't happen in the Revolution."

University students can balance their studies with part-time jobs. It is acceptable for mature and prepared individuals, but involving minors in jobs that violate the law should be addressed rigorously.

According to the Magna Carta in its article 66 and the Labor Code, child labor is prohibited and special protection is established for youths between 15 and 18 years old. These regulations are frequently violated.

The identification of repeated absences and social work visits are some of the strategies used to detect these situations, but they do not have the expected effect. The cases repeat themselves over and over.

The M.Sc. Rosendo López Mustelier, an expert in Occupational Psychology, emphasizes that child labor affects the physical and mental health of minors, exposing them to risks and depriving them of a normal childhood.

Specialists emphasize the importance of a coordinated approach between family, school, and community to prevent the negative consequences of child labor on the development of minors.

Children should play, learn, and develop in a safe environment, away from work responsibilities, but inflation and poverty in Cuba are such that many have to work to contribute to the family's economy, because the government does not guarantee the social assistance that the vulnerable population requires.