• Submitted by: manso
• Business and Economy
• 05 / 29 / 2011

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Recent agreements by the Cuban Council of Ministers continue facilitating the process of broadening self-employment and making it more flexible.

According to Granma newspaper, as the number of self-employed workers increases in Cuba and experiences in this sector are analyzed, it is necessary to continue adopting and implementing new measures to achieve a better organization, eliminate deficiencies and unnecessary restrictions and any trend affecting the people, and to encourage the hiring of labor.

Among the new actions established by the Council of Ministers is the expansion of the use of hired labor to all the activities approved for self-employment, and those who employ from one to five workers will be exonerated during 2011 of the payment of taxes on the use of labor.

The deadline established for the retroactive payment of the Social Security tax for people who were already exercising self-employment before October 2010 was extended from two to 10 years.

In addition, joining the Social Security Special System will not be compulsory anymore for women older than 60 years and for men older than 65, said the newspaper.

In relation to lodging licenses, the Council agreed to reduce for the rest of 2011 the minimum monthly fee on the rent of rooms and apartments/houses both in Cuban pesos and in Cuban Convertible Pesos from $200 to $150.

Likewise, state-run places (restaurants, cafeterias, etc.) with a low level of activity which would be more profitable if rented out to private workers will be identified.

The list of activities allowed for self-employment was increased by three: granite worker, insurance agent, party organizers.

In terms of goods supply, retail stores and markets will continue to be the main source for the self-employed as the country is not yet in conditions to create whole-sale markets, reads Granma report.

In the meantime, $120 million were budgeted for 2011 to ensure the supply of basic goods for this sector.

Source: www.radioangulo.cu/en/news/cuba/10623-free-lancing-cuba-goes-on-easing.html