On Friday, the National Assembly of People's Power released the full text of Law No. 189 in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Cuba No. 78. This new Labor Code, approved on July 30, is set to replace the legislation governing labor relations in Cuba since 2013.
Signed by Juan Esteban Lazo Hernández, President of the National Assembly, the law aims to regulate individual labor relationships between workers and employers in the production and service sectors.
A significant change is the inclusion of the non-state sector, such as micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), cooperatives, and self-employed workers, under the same labor legal framework as the state sector.
Key Changes in the New Labor Code
The Code introduces judicial, institutional, and union mechanisms for defending labor rights and systematizes principles governing collective labor relations.
One notable update is the regulation of remote work, including the option to work from abroad with employer approval via a contract addendum.
The legislation also acknowledges the right to digital disconnection and removes the "available worker" status.
Economic and Technological Adjustments
Under the new law, jobs can be terminated for economic, technological, or structural reasons, with compensation equivalent to six basic monthly salaries paid at once.
Furthermore, work is defined as "a right, a social duty, and a source of honor," positioning it as the primary means to enhance the material and spiritual well-being of the population.
Complementary Regulations and Criticisms
The Official Gazette No. 78 Ordinary of 2026 includes 13 complementary regulations linked to the Code, such as Decree 179 from the Council of Ministers regarding Labor and Social Security Sanctions, and resolutions from the ministries of Public Health, Labor and Social Security, Education, Higher Education, Culture, and Finance and Prices.
The law has faced criticism for not recognizing the right to strike, maintaining the union monopoly of the Central de Trabajadores de Cuba, and not allowing independent unions. Critics argue these aspects distance the law from International Labor Organization standards on union freedom.
Law 189 will come into effect 90 days after its publication in the Official Gazette, meaning it will be fully operational by mid-December 2026.
Understanding Cuba's New Labor Code
What sectors does the new Cuban Labor Code include?
The new code includes both the state and non-state sectors, such as micro, small, and medium enterprises, cooperatives, and self-employed workers.
How does the new Labor Code address remote work?
The Code regulates remote work, allowing employees to work from abroad with employer approval through a contract addendum, and recognizes the right to digital disconnection.
When will the new Labor Code become effective?
The Code will take effect 90 days after its publication in the Official Gazette, which is expected to be in mid-December 2026.