The Cuban Government approved on Monday that state entities with their own budget can provide additional payments to their workers using surplus funds from the salary plan.
The measure, outlined in Agreement 10199 of the Council of Ministers and published in the Extraordinary Official Gazette No. 45 on August 11, 2025, aims to encourage workforce stability and curb the increasing exodus of personnel from the budget sector.
According to the official text, the resources for these payments will come from unallocated funds resulting from various causes, such as the incomplete filling of approved positions, the presence of workers on maternity leave, sick leave subsidies, or unpaid leave.
These amounts, having not been used for salaries during the period, may be redistributed among the active staff. The additional payment will be recognized as salary for all legal purposes, but it will not be fixed or widespread.
Each budgeted unit must develop an internal regulation to define how payments will be granted, what criteria will be applied to prioritize certain workers, and how frequently they will be disbursed.
This regulation must be agreed upon with the labor union, discussed in the General Assembly of Workers, and incorporated into the Collective Labor Agreement.
The regulation establishes that the amounts to be distributed and the sums for each worker will be approved by the Management Council of each unit, with the participation of the union, and will be publicly communicated to the labor assembly.
Among the criteria to consider are high performance, professional qualifications, job responsibilities, and demonstrated competencies, as specified in the text published by the Official Gazette of Cuba.
Not all sectors will benefit from this measure. Excluded are the bodies and organizations of the Central Administration of the State, national entities, and units that already have differentiated salary treatments, as well as the teaching staff with an overload of educational work and health professionals who receive payment for "maximum effort."
Only those who do not enjoy those benefits or those who receive the additional payment solely for years of service will be able to receive it, the text clarifies.
Ministries, governors, and mayors have 30 days to assess the behavior of the workforce, analyze resource availability, and identify the units that can implement the redistribution of the salary fund.
They should also establish general guidelines for the preparation of internal regulations and send quarterly reports to the Ministry of Finance and Prices regarding the implementation and results of the measure.
The agreement came into effect upon its publication in the Official Gazette, so the first fund redistributions could occur before the end of the current fiscal year, depending on the availability in each entity.
Recently, the Cuban regime reinforced benefits for the Armed Forces, offering economic incentives and material facilities, while other strategic sectors such as health and education continue to face severe shortages.
Weeks ago, the government approved an increase in pensions for certain beneficiaries, aiming to ease the economic pressure on retirees and pensioners amid the decline in purchasing power.
Frequently Asked Questions about Additional Payments to State Workers in Cuba
What does the new measure of additional payments to state workers in Cuba entail?
The measure allows state entities with their own budget to grant additional payments to their employees using leftover funds from the salary plan. This measure aims to encourage job stability and stem the exodus of personnel from the budgeted sector.
What criteria will be used to grant additional payments to state workers?
The criteria for granting additional payments include high performance, professional evaluation, job responsibility, and demonstrated competencies. Each budget unit must develop internal regulations to define how payments will be awarded.
What sectors are excluded from receiving additional payments in Cuba?
Central State Administration organs and agencies are excluded, as well as national entities and units with differentiated salary treatments, such as teaching staff with excessive educational workloads and health professionals who receive payment for "maximum effort."
When will the measure for additional payments come into effect in Cuba?
The measure came into effect from its publication in the Official Gazette on August 11, 2025, so the first redistributions of funds could occur before the end of the fiscal year, depending on the availability in each entity.
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