Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142) - Cuba (Ratification: 1978)

Articles 1–5 of the Convention. Education and training policies and programmes. The Committee notes the Government’s reference, in reply to its previous comments, to the promulgation of the Constitution of the Republic of Cuba of 10 April 2019. In particular, the Government refers to article 73 of the Constitution, which establishes as follows: “Education is a right for all people and is the responsibility of the State, which shall guarantee free, attainable and quality education services for comprehensive training, from early childhood to postgraduate university education. In order to give effect to this right, the State shall establish a wide-ranging system of education institutions in all types and levels of education, providing the possibility of studying at any stage of life in accordance with individual abilities, social requirements and the country’s socio-economic development needs. … The scope of the obligation to study, the basic general preparation which, as a minimum, must be acquired, adult education and postgraduate or other complementary studies that, exceptionally, may be remunerated, shall be defined by law.” The Government reiterates that the national education system has universal coverage and is free at all levels of teaching. The Government indicates that, in 2020, there were 10,626 schools in the country, of which 6,921 were for primary education, 944 for basic secondary education, 299 for pre-university education, and 414 for technical and vocational education, as well as 341 centres for special education and 41 centres for higher education. Furthermore, the Government states that measures to coordinate education and training policies with employment remain in force. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security annually updates the requirements of the skilled labour force, with the participation of the central administrative entities of the State and the provincial administrative councils. On the basis of this information, various training plans are drawn up to respond to the demand for knowledge and skills required to ensure economic and social development. The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that, in 2020, 100 per cent of graduates were in employment, as were 99 per cent of intermediate-level technicians, 79 per cent of skilled manual workers, 80 per cent of office school graduates and 94 per cent of special school graduates. The Committee also notes the information supplied by the Government on the number of men and women in the various economic sectors. Lastly, the Committee notes the statistical information supplied by the Government on the support measures adopted for workers to tackle the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including relocations to other posts or the receipt of wage guarantees for non-relocation. The Committee requests the Government to provide more detailed, specific information on how education and vocational training policies are coordinated with employment policies, and specifically on how the supply of training is coordinated with the demand for knowledge and skills and the changing labour market situation. The Committee also requests the Government to provide detailed information on the results of the annual projections made by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security with regard to the demands for knowledge and skills in the labour market, and also on the measures taken to respond to such demands. The Committee also requests the Government to send detailed, up-to-date information on the manner in which workers’ and employers’ organizations have been consulted with regard to the formulation, implementation and evaluation of vocational guidance and vocational training programmes (Article 5 of the Convention).

Article 1(5). Coverage of specific categories of workers. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that article 42 of the Constitution establishes the principle of equality and non-discrimination. Article 43 establishes the principle of equality between men and women and provides that the State shall guarantee that the same opportunities and responsibilities are offered to both. Furthermore, all persons shall have the right to education and all workers shall have the right to training and personal development, in accordance with article 73 of the Constitution and section 2 of the Labour Code, respectively. The Committee notes the statistical information provided by the Government, disaggregated by sex, relating to the education level of workers. The Government states that, in 2020, most workers had a higher-medium level (1,465,700 men and 968,600 women), followed by those with a higher level (621,900 women and 414,300 men). A lower number of workers had completed secondary education (779,700 men and 200,400 women), or their level was primary education or lower (159,100 men and 33,900 women). However, the Committee notes that the Government does not provide information on the specific measures adopted to promote equal opportunities and treatment for men and women as regards access to vocational guidance and training. Concerning the education and training measures taken to promote the participation of persons with disabilities in the labour market, the Government indicates that, thanks to technical and vocational training, between 2016 and 2020 a total of 5,560 persons with disabilities were placed in employment, of whom 28 per cent were women. The Government adds that, in 2020, a total of 265 persons with disabilities were placed in employment (70 per cent in the state sector, 11 per cent in own-account employment, and 19 per cent in other non-state sector activities), and 1,031 persons with disabilities completed training in special schools. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide detailed, up-to-date information on the specific measures taken to promote equality of opportunity and treatment for men and women in relation to access to vocational guidance and training. The Committee also requests the Government to provide statistical information, disaggregated by sex, on the participation of men and women in vocational education and training at all levels. It further requests the Government to provide detailed, up-to-date information, disaggregated by sex, on the vocational guidance and vocational training policies or programmes adopted or envisaged to promote lasting employment for persons with disabilities, as well as information on the number of participants in these programmes.