Congress is at the Base

"At the base of the grass root organization, the XX Workers' Congress is. We must devote all efforts to make the preparatory process with quality, reach every one of the sectors and workers," said Salvador Valdes Mesa, general secretary of the Cuban Workers Federation (CTC), during the seminar for provincial professional staff union movement developed before the event in Villa Clara.

"This is an important step with priority tasks as renewing mandates in labor collectives, which must be carefully done, choose leaders who are working to perfect the union and have continuity in the organization," he said.

The also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC), said other times when workers must have an active participation. In particular, he emphasized on the meeting to present the plan and the budget of 2013, this time has as concept to be an information to the workers.

"Something that does not limit views and opinions of how to be more efficient. It is not the case to change  plans, but that workers  be identify with the plan, know that its fulfillment depends on their incomes and the stability of the job," he noted.

On this matter, he recognized that even though the country has gone through serious difficulties in the economy, specific decisions have been made to guarantee the 2013 plan is to improve the functioning of the companies.

He highlighted the need to consciously involve workers nationwide in the discussion of the Labor Code and the Basic Document of the XX Congress.

About the Code, he enunciated having components such as wages and employment, as well as bringing together the various labor edges. "The current situation is different and we must legally protect the rights of all workers," he said.

Specifically about the document, he stated it is included the employment policy, salary, stimulation, unionization of non state workers, among other topics. He said this comes from the same part of the analyzes that have been done on the organization.

He also warned that, at the same time of this preparatory process, all commitments must be fulfilled to end of the year.

Valdes Mesa, accompanied by Baeza Consuelo Martin, top leader of the labor movement in the country, visited two dairy farms typical of the Basic Unit of Cooperative Production (UBPC) Martires del Escambray, livestock belonging to the company's La Vitrina from Manicaragua.

"It is amazing what they have accomplished. Workers in these dairies rescued their areas, planted food for livestock and they daily produce more than 300 liters of milk, when they previously could only managed t produce 80 liters. The staff is minimal, but is committed, and besides, they receive high incomes," he said.

"This experience should be multiplied, especially in this form of base production. Such management must be rescued. This is a sign that the UBPC can give us our own food, "he concluded.