Cuba implements new Labor Code featuring remote work

Cuba has published its new Labor Code (Law 189) in the Official Gazette, set to take effect on September 25. Replacing the 2013 legislation, the new code aims to modernize the legal framework in response to recent socioeconomic transformations and the 2019 Constitution.

Key updates include the formal recognition of remote work, including the possibility of working from abroad, and the removal of administrative requirements for holding multiple jobs (pluriempleo) for most professions. The law also extends its scope to include the non-state sector, such as private enterprises, cooperatives, and self-employed workers.

The legislation introduces new protections against discrimination, particularly regarding pregnancy, and prioritizes employment for persons with disabilities. It also establishes mechanisms for job termination due to economic, technological, or structural reasons, providing a compensation of six basic monthly salaries. While the code introduces new rights like digital disconnection, it does not recognize the right to strike.