Over 700,000 Cuban workers have thus far discussed a Social Security draft bill that proposes, among other aspects, the extension of the active labor time and the retirement age.

The most recent session of the Cuban parliament agreed to submit the draft bill to workers before its analysis for approval at the legislative body, in what has been considered a traditional democratic practice in Cuba.

Since last September 1, Cuban workers have gathered in 21, 576 assemblies throughout the country, which have been marked by great interest and awareness said Alfredo Machado, member of the National Secretariat of the Cuban Workers Federation (CTC) in statements to Granma newspaper.

Some of the largely discussed issues proposed by the draft bill include the extension of the retirement age and the active labor time; the calculation of pensions according to age and the re-incorporation of retired people to work centers.  

The increasing aging of the Cuban population, a demographic problems facing the world for decades, and the threat pending on the country over the next few years due to the dramatic reduction of human resources, have also been at the center of discussions and analysis, said the CTC official.

Consensus of criteria and the approval of the proposed bill by the majority of workers have characterized the assemblies, since workers have understood the reasons exposed in the document, aside from proposals related to interests in specific sectors and individuals, said Machado. 

Workers assemblies will be held until next October 31. The draft bill will be re-written according to the proposed changes to later be submitted to the Cuban parliament in December.