Paris, June 16 (RHC)-- The General Secretary of the Confederation of Cuban Workers (CTC) Ulises Guilarte de Nacimiento affirmed in Paris that in many parts of the world, the prevailing capitalist crisis has done away with worker's gains achieved over many decades.

Following a meeting with union leaders in Paris, Guilarte de Nacimiento told the press that soaring unemployment is one of the direct consequences of the capitalist crisis, particularly in Europe.

According to Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, in 11 EU member states youth unemployment is over than 25% and it is 49% or higher in Croatia, Spain and Greece.

The top Cuban union leader said the aim of his visit to Paris is to set up a platform for common actions towards strengthening bilateral exchanges with French unions.

Guilarte said that in his meeting in Paris with leaders and members of the General Confederation of Labour he offered detailed information about the ongoing economic and social transformations on the island aimed at updating the Cuban socialist system.

At the meeting, the leaders of the first of five major French confederations of trade unions, reiterated their solidarity with the Cuban people, particularly their cause against the U.S. blockade and for the immediate release and return to Cuba of Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labañino and Antonio Guerrero -– the three anti-terrorist fighters, members of the Cuban Five, who remain unjustly held in U.S. prisons.