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The Minister of Labor and Social Security, Jesús Otamendiz Campos, insisted this Wednesday that the main response of the Cuban government to the energy crisis is job relocation, rather than job interruption, amid the fuel shortage affecting the country.
During his speech at the Round Table, the official emphasized that the priority is to keep workers active.
"The top priority is job relocation. Not disruption," he stated.
The minister explained that, in light of the halt in activities due to fuel shortages, workers must be reassigned to other functions deemed strategic, such as food production, community services (cleaning and waste collection), assistance to vulnerable individuals, and support in the educational sector.
According to the official, these measures aim to take advantage of the available workforce and support economic and social programs.
Otamendiz pointed out that, whenever possible, alternatives such as telecommuting, remote work, or changes to the work schedule will be prioritized.
However, he acknowledged that in many cases these options are not viable, which is why relocation is resorted to.
The minister recalled that the law stipulates the payment of 100% of the basic salary during the first month of job interruption, and subsequently 60% if the situation continues.
However, he warned that this should not be the primary option: “It is always better to be relocated and receiving the salary than to be interrupted at 60%,” he emphasized.
The statements come amid a severe energy crisis in Cuba, characterized by extended blackouts, fuel shortages, and partial shutdowns of economic activities.
The government insists that these measures aim to protect workers, although in practice, they reflect the structural difficulties the country faces in sustaining its economy amid the energy collapse.
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