Once more Cuba has given a masterly lesson of the democratic exercise that characterizes its processes. The new Foreign Investment Law unanimously passed by the deputies of the Parliament on March 29, 2014 needed consultation, analysis, modifications and get deepen in its main issues since it was a draft law from the base. They devoted many labor hours before debating it in sessions.
They made its legal and political content rich, with the participation of many of the delegates. Cuba now has two premises: correctly enforce it and make people know it well. The first one is clearly expressed in the law, but the other one needs communication strategies, and their main characters are the delegates, the popular councils, the provincial and municipal assemblies, the working commissions also taking into consideration the media for its success.
This law will contribute in the solution of the Cuban needs for prosperous and sustainable development, including the increase of the way of life of the population. So, we would have access to foreign financing, technologies and new markets; insert products and services in valuable international chains and also generate other positive actions in pursue to domestic industry.
All Cubans will not take direct part in the Law; but they will all enjoy its benefits. This is pretty clear in all its chapters, mainly in those where it is said the destiny of the investments, the foundation of new sources of employment, as well as the change in the main energy of the country; the priority to food industry, substitution of importations with influence in health and welfare.
People could invest in all branches except Health and Education. In relation to the armed institutions, it will only be in its enterprise system.
A fortress in the new legal framework is the demand by the entities and organisms of the State to the national entities that will sponsor investments.
The law, which is eminently economical, does not distort transcendental political aspects; it respects sovereignty and independence of the nation and the mutual benefit; takes care of the environment; offers maximum guarantees to investors and recognizes the intellectual and productive capacity of the Cuban labor force. There will be no free hiring of workers; while Cubans or foreign people who permanently live in the country, giving services in different modalities in foreign investment will be hired by an employer, and this is going to be responsible to look forward the rights of the workers. As it is in Article 27, foreign investments are in force with the current labor legislation and social security in Cuba.
The joint ventures that are part of those contracts associated to international economy and the entities with foreign currency will be authorized to create funds for economic stimulation to those Cuban or foreign workers living in Cuba, working in these entities. This legislation recognizes the rights of Cubans participating in innovations contributing to economic, social and environmental benefits.
Our participation in foreign investment in economy does not mean we are going to give our resources; it is for more socialism, to protect all we have conquest so far.
