MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Latinamerica 2005 job creation: “moderate optimism”

The International Labour Organization, ILO, expressed “moderate optimism” regarding the employment situation in Latinamerica on considering the region's economic growth prospects.

Daniel Martinez, ILO regional director, indicated during the presentation in Cuba of the annual report on the 2004 labour situation in Latinamerica and the Caribbean that unemployment was 10,5%, equivalent to 19,5 million urban workers out of a job.

Mr. Martinez also indicated that there was a significant advance in job precariousness and informal employment as a consequence of economic policies which focused in inflation control and not necessarily in economic expansion and job creation.

The report forecasts a "moderate optimism" regarding economic activity expansion in the range of 3,5% for 2005, which should help the overall employment situation.

As to Cuba, Mr. Martínez said official data shows an unemployment index of 1,9% which is equivalent to a "full employment" situation and praised as "very positive" the social network protection for workers.

However Mr. Martínez avoided talking about salaries in Cuba where the average take home income is between 250/300 Cuban pesos monthly, equivalent to 10/12 US dollars, nor did he refer to ILO recommendations to Fidel Castro's regime.

Last June a freedom of association report from ILO criticized with severity Cuba, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.

The report claimed that the government of Cuba did not send the information requested by ILO regarding the long penitentiary sentences (over 26 years) suffered by seven union leaders.

As to the trade unions government monopoly under Cuban legislation, ILO requested from the Castro regime regulations which recognize workers rights to hold union elections and organize independently from the current structure.