21st Cuban Trade Union Congress Starts Today

The 21st Congress of the Cuban Workers Confederation (CTC) begins here today with the assistance of some 1,200 national delegates, who will debate core issues, including internal functioning and the economy.

The event taking place in the Havana Convention Center, will mark one of the moments of greatest debate on union functioning, the need for greater efficiency demanded by the country's economy; challenges of the trade union movement, as well as growth and diversification of non-state management forms.

They will also discuss the representation and defense of the rights and duties of workers; results of international relations; political and ideological work; in addition to the recognition of the management of unions in the organic spaces and negotiation with employers.

The Secretary General of the CTC, Ulises Guillarte, affirmed earlier this week that the workers' Congress will be a success and will meet the demands of the people of the nation.

The trade union leader explained that as part of the meeting there will be three updating conferences related to the economic-social model, policies approved with an impact on the country's labor force; performance of the Cuban economy, as well as the employment and salary policy.

Under the central motto Unity, Commitment and Victory, the congress will run until the 24th. Attending will be 52 foreign delegates from 30 trade union organizations of 16 countries in Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

According to the program, during the last day the delegates will elect a new National Council of the CTC and its executive secretariat.

This Congress takes place amid an escalation of aggressions by the United States Government against the largest of the Antilles to destroy the Cuban Revolution, with the announcement of new measures that intensify the blockade imposed on the island almost 60 years ago.