The Ministry of Labor and Social Security of Cuba published new salary measures this Wednesday in the Official Gazette Ordinary No. 39 of 2025, aimed at strengthening the stability and retention of personnel in educational institutions and the National Health System.
The resolution benefits both teachers and researchers, as well as medical professionals from key specialties and nursing service assistants.
Extension of Payment for Years of Service in Educational Institutions
The Ministry has announced, through Resolution 3/2025, the extension of the additional payment for years of service rendered to a broader group of workers in the education sector.
This measure aims to encourage the retention of professionals in educational institutions and strengthen job stability in key organizations for the training of human resources in the country.
The resolution establishes that this payment will apply to "workers in branch schools and training centers, as well as to educational centers or institutions legally recognized as such, subordinate to or methodologically attended by the bodies and organizations of the Central State Administration, national entities, the administrative directorates of the People's Power, and other organizations."
Monthly payments for years of service are structured as follows:
Additionally, it is established that:
"After 30 years of service, every two years, a monthly increase of 400 pesos is due for teaching staff and researchers, and 200 pesos for other workers."
This payment is part of the basic salary, which means it will have direct implications for other labor benefits and social security.
Salary improvements for health specialists and nursing assistants
Resolution 4/2025 complements previous measures with additional benefits aimed at the personnel of the National Health System, focusing on critical specialties and long-term care services.
Two types of incentives stand out for physicians in specialties such as Anesthesiology, Resuscitation, Neonatology, and Intensive Care Medicine:
a) The amount of one hundred pesos (100) per hour as additional pay for working night shifts.
b) A payment for high performance of twenty pesos (20) per hour.
This acknowledges the demanding working conditions faced by these professionals and aims to alleviate the burden of night shifts, including weekends.
Additionally, a social economic interest coefficient of 45% is granted on the salary scale to "workers in the position of nursing service assistants (Patient Care) in nursing homes, psychopedagogical medical centers, and psychiatric hospitals."
Entry into force and scope
Both resolutions will apply their salary effects starting January 1, 2025, which implies retroactive adjustments to the monthly payments of the benefited workers.
The provisions have been communicated to the various relevant entities and organizations, including ministries, national unions, and administrative departments, to ensure their effective implementation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wage Increases in Cuba for the Education and Health Sectors
Which sectors will benefit from the salary increase in Cuba?
The Education and Health sectors are the primary beneficiaries of the salary increase announced by the Cuban government. This includes teachers, researchers, key specialty medical professionals, and nursing service assistants.
How are the new payments for years of service in Education structured?
Additional payments for years of service in Education are structured so that after 30 years of service, every two years, there is an increment of 400 pesos per month for teaching staff and researchers, and 200 pesos for other workers. These payments are part of the basic salary and have implications on other labor benefits and social security.
What incentives will healthcare professionals in Cuba receive?
Health professionals, especially those in critical specialties, will receive incentives that include an additional payment of one hundred pesos per hour for working night shifts and a performance bonus of twenty pesos per hour. Furthermore, a social economic interest coefficient of 45% will be granted on the salary scale to nursing service assistants in certain institutions.
When will the new salary measures take effect in Cuba?
The new salary measures will come into effect on January 1, 2025, which means retroactive adjustments in the monthly payments for the affected employees. The regulations have been communicated to the relevant entities to ensure their effective implementation.
What challenges does the Cuban state system face regarding salaries?
The Cuban state system faces significant challenges, such as the decline in purchasing power of state workers, wage distortions, and the lack of real incentives to retain professionals in critical sectors. Economic precariousness and the lack of resources have led many to seek better opportunities outside the state sector.
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