Unionist Leaders Reiterate their Condemnation of the US Blockade against Cuba

HAVANA, Cuba, Nov 16 (acn) Union leaders from six countries condemned on Thursday in Havana, for the second time in less than 48 hours the economic, financial and commercial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba for over half a century.

The Provincial Assistant Secretary of Belgium's General Workers Union, Gaby Jaenen demanded an end to what she characterized as "criminal policy" of US administrations.

During the sessions of the First Conference of the National Construction Workers Union (SNTC), Jaenen spoke on behalf of Brazil, Belgium, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador and Panama whose representatives are participating as guests in the event.

The struggle of the Cuban people against the genocidal blockade constitutes an example to follow and which strengthens us, said the union leader at Havana's Convention Center where the participants assumed a similar position in a joint declaration last Tuesday.

A considerable amount of participants spoke before the final approval of the discussions of the commissions on the work of unions, economic efficiency, and political-ideological work in addition to the attention and representation of the workers.

The General Secretary of the Union at the Mariel Special Development Zone, Boris Luis Espinosa Rubio explained the complexities of its union structures in the strategic area, only of its type in the country.

Espinosa Ribio said that in Mariel, special regimes and policies are applied with the objective of fomenting a sustainable economic development through the attraction of foreign investment in order for its work force to grow at a slow pace.

The signing of the general Guidelines for the group negotiation was carried out with the presence of the General Secretary of the Cuban Workers Confederation (CTC), Ulises Guilarte de Nacimiento.

The General Secretary of the SNTC, Carlos Antonio de Dios Oquendo signed the first document with the President of the National Institute of Water Resources, Ines Maria Chapman.

Afterwards with the President of the business groups of Construction and Assembly, Construction Materials and the Construction Design and Engineering.

Another moment of the event included special recognitions to veteran leaders with over 25 years of service: Abel Ruiz Jalla from Cienfuegos, Hector Benitez Mora, Ciego de Avila and Maria Maura Portela Fabre, Havana.