SA, Cuba sign co-operation pact
2 March 2004
Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana, and his Cuban counterpart, Alfredo Morales Cartaya, signed a memorandum of understanding in Cape Town this week focusing on employment, social security and occupational health and safety.
The agreement makes provision for the exchange of experts in these fields between the two countries. It also allows for the development of joint projects, and the exchange of technological information and advice. The two countries will also share experiences in skills development and job creation for vulnerable groups.
"The way in which the Cuban people have survived the US's economic blockade ... provides South Africa with valuable lessons. Despite this blockade, Cuba's tourism has grown from 1 million visitors to Havana to over 1.9 million, which has resulted in more jobs being created, especially for young people," Mdladlana said.
Mdladlana also said he was particularly interested in learning more about Cuba's social
workers, who have been dispatched by their government to villages throughout the country to help people access social services.
"This operation is very similar to President Mbeki's proposals on development workers - whereby young people will move through the country teaching people how to obtain social grants, unemployment insurance and compensation", he said.
Cartaya said a team of Cuban experts was already in South Africa providing South Africans with information on their own experiences, to enable the development of South African solutions.
Source: Department of Labour
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