Geneva, June 10, 2026. Cuban Minister of Labour and Social Security, Jesús Otamendiz López, head of the Cuban delegation to the 114th International Labour Conference being held at this UN headquarters, addressed the Conference plenary today.
He strongly denounced the enormous human cost and brutal effects of the United States' economic war against Cuba, which has escalated exponentially this year with increasingly aggressive and ruthless measures.
He condemned the total fuel blockade imposed on the island by the United States for more than five months, with serious consequences for all Cuban workers and families.
"The sinister plan of the United States," he denounced, "is to create a humanitarian crisis. They intend to suffocate the Cuban people to provoke a social explosion."
The Cuban representative explained that emergency protocols have been activated to mitigate the impact of Washington's measures. He reported that options are being sought to relocate workers whose jobs are vacant, and when there is no alternative but to suspend work, 100% of salary is guaranteed for the first month of inactivity, and 60% from the second month onward.
He also explained that, despite the difficulties, the social welfare system is being strengthened to protect vulnerable individuals; the number of social workers has doubled, and the social assistance budget is being increased.
He announced that the proposed new Labor Code, the result of a broad and democratic consultation process with workers, will soon be submitted to the Cuban Parliament for approval. This will allow Cuba to have modern labor legislation that will expand rights and guarantees in all sectors of the workforce.
He emphasized that the highest priority will always be protecting workers and their families, even in the most difficult circumstances.
Referring to the threats of military aggression by the United States, Minister Otamendiz affirmed that Cuba is a nation of peace and does not want conflict, but if it occurs, the Cuban people will know how to defend their sovereignty and independence, to the very end.
He called on the international community to prevent the continued deprivation of an entire people of their livelihoods, the continued punishment of a whole population for reasons of domination, and the unjustified military threats against Cuba.
He concluded by thanking the numerous expressions of solidarity and support received by Cuba at the Conference, which is being attended by representatives of governments, employers, and workers from the 187 Member States of the International Labour Organization (ILO).