Havana, August 26 (RHC) -– The new Cuban labor code, adopted by the island's National Assembly, is in tune with the country’s social reality as it recognizes both the state socialist companies as major economic structure and the non-state sector.

According to the weekly newspaper Trabajadores, for the first time, the code establishes working relations between individuals in the private sector, as part of its regulations of such links between employers and employees.

These relations are formalized through a document or contract establishing norms and conditions agreed to by the two parties. It also regulates the aspects to be the subjects of negotiations, the kind of job, activity, duration, holidays and terms of payment.

Important enough are security and health conditions of workers and other aspects included as obligations to be considered or guaranteed by employers, including the eight-hour shift, which is a historic achievements of the workers. As to weekly rest, the code establishes one day and at least seven days paid annual vacations.

The code also states that employees in the private sector may present claims or labor suits directly to municipal courts, which is understood as a way to protect the rights of workers and contribute to honor the duties by all workers.