Cuba has introduced a new labour framework allowing foreign commercial representations to hire staff directly, ending the long-standing use of state employment agencies, in a move that could reshape foreign business operations in the country.
Cuba has introduced a new labour framework that allows certain foreign commercial representations to hire staff directly, ending the long-standing requirement to route recruitment through a state employment agency. According to the Official Gazette, the change took effect on 2 October and applies specifically to foreign trade and commercial offices operating in the country.
The reform was set out in Decree-Law 137 of 2026 and Resolution 62/2026 from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, both published in Official Gazette No. 82. Reports on the measure say the decree repeals Decree-Law 384 of 2019, which had required Cuban workers employed by foreign entities to be engaged exclusively through authorised state intermediaries.
Under the new rules, foreign commercial representations may either keep using an authorised employment entity or sign contracts directly with selected workers. When direct hiring is used, the foreign representation becomes the employer and must comply with Cuban labour and social security law. The arrangement covers administrative, technical and service posts, as well as certain domestic roles linked to these offices.
The list of occupations covered is broad. According to the resolution text summarised by local outlets, it includes drivers, secretaries, administrative assistants, accountants, IT technicians, translators, cooks, specialists and staff connected with air operations, transport and commerce. The rules also distinguish these commercial representations from diplomatic missions, consulates and international organisations, which remain subject to separate hiring arrangements.
The resolution also includes safeguards for existing employees. Workers already employed by foreign commercial representations cannot see their income reduced simply because the hiring model changes, and pay must still comply with current labour legislation. Where an intermediary employment entity remains involved, the agreed salary may not be below the level assigned to the relevant job category.
If a foreign representation decides to move away from the intermediary model, it has up to 60 natural days to complete the transition, provided the company and the employment entity agree the timetable. During that period, documentation and worker records must be handed over in line with labour rules. The regulation also retains a requirement that at least one Cuban worker be included for every foreign worker used in providing services, while preserving the possibility of direct commercial arrangements with self-employed workers for certain products or services.
Source Reference Map
Inspired by headline at: [1]
Sources by paragraph:
– Paragraph 1: [2], [4]
– Paragraph 2: [3], [4], [6], [7]
– Paragraph 3: [5], [6]
– Paragraph 4: [5], [6], [7]
– Paragraph 5: [1], [5], [6], [7]
Source: Noah Wire Services
Verification / Sources
- https://www.directoriocubano.info/cuba/gaceta-contratacion-directa-trabajadores-cuba-octubre-2026/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.directoriocubano.info/cuba/gaceta-contratacion-directa-trabajadores-cuba-octubre-2026/ – A new regulation published in the Official Gazette changes the way certain foreign representations can hire workers in Cuba from October. The modification eliminates the obligation to always use a state employer entity for foreign commercial representations. Since October 2, these entities can directly hire the personnel they need. The change appears in Decree-Law 137 and Resolution 62/2026 of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, included in Official Gazette No. 82 Ordinary of 2026.
- https://www.cubaheadlines.com/articles/341713 – The Cuban Council of State has sanctioned Decree-Law 137 of 2026, enabling foreign commercial entities established in Cuba to directly hire their workforce without the mandatory need for state-run employment intermediaries. This regulation was officially released in the Official Gazette No. 82, 2026, alongside its governing rules under Resolution 62/2026 issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security on September 22. This new law repeals Decree-Law 384 of 2019, which had previously mandated that Cuban employees working for foreign entities be engaged solely through state-sanctioned agencies authorized by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS).
- https://www.cibercuba.com/noticias/2026-10-02-u1-e208574-s27061-nid341713-regimen-cubano-autoriza-empresas-extranjeras – The Council of State approved Decree-Law 137 of 2026, which allows foreign trade representatives established in Cuba to directly hire workers without having to go through intermediary state employment entities. The regulation was published this Friday in the Official Gazette No. 82 Ordinary of 2026, along with its implementation regulation: Resolution 62/2026 from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, issued on September 22. The decree repeals Decree-Law 384 of 2019, which for years required that Cuban workers in foreign representations be hired exclusively through state entities authorized by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS).
- https://www.cibercuba.com/s/gacetaoficial/resolucion-62-de-2026-de-ministerio-de-trabajo-y-seguridad-social – Resolution 62/2026, issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, regulates the labor regime applicable to individuals contracted to provide services in foreign representations in Cuba. This resolution establishes the specificities in labor matters for these employees and repeals Resolution 61 of 2021. The norm aims to organize the hiring of workers for foreign representations in accordance with the approved economic and social transformations. The Resolution 62/2026 regulates the labor regime applicable to individuals contracted to provide services in foreign representations in Cuba. The hiring of workers for foreign representations can be done directly or through authorized employer entities. Foreign representations must incorporate at least one Cuban worker for each foreigner in the provision of services. The labor supply contract must be written and contain elements such as object, term, duration of the trial period, and payment for the service. The remuneration of workers is governed by the current labor legislation and cannot be lower than the established salary scale.
- https://www.directoriocubano.com/servicios/gaceta-oficial/norma/goc-2026-576-o82/ – Decree-Law 137 of 2026 from the Council of State, titled ‘On the hiring of workers to perform administrative, technical, or service tasks for foreign representations,’ establishes that foreign commercial representations can directly hire their workers or continue using authorized employer entities by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS).
- https://www.directoriocubano.com/servicios/gaceta-oficial/norma/goc-2026-580-o82/ – Resolution 62 of 2026 from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, titled ‘Regulation on the labor regime applicable to individuals contracted to provide services in foreign representations,’ regulates the labor regime applicable to individuals contracted to provide services in foreign representations in Cuba. This resolution establishes the specificities in labor matters for these employees and repeals Resolution 61 of 2021.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score: 8
Notes: The article reports on a recent development in Cuba’s labour regulations, specifically the introduction of Decree-Law 137 of 2026 and Resolution 62/2026, both published in the Official Gazette No. 82 on 2 October 2026. (directoriocubano.com) The earliest known publication date of substantially similar content is 2 October 2026, indicating high freshness. However, the article’s reliance on a single source raises concerns about originality and potential recycling of content.
Quotes check
Score: 6
Notes: The article includes direct quotes attributed to the Official Gazette and other sources. However, these quotes cannot be independently verified through the provided sources, as the full texts of Decree-Law 137 and Resolution 62/2026 are not accessible online. (directoriocubano.com) The inability to verify these quotes independently is a significant concern.
Source reliability
Score: 5
Notes: The primary source, Directorio Cubano, is a niche publication with limited reach and may not be considered a major news organisation. The article also references CiberCuba, which is more established but still not a major news organisation. The reliance on these sources, without corroboration from more widely recognised outlets, raises questions about the reliability and independence of the information presented.
Plausibility check
Score: 7
Notes: The claims about the new labour framework in Cuba align with reports from other sources, such as CiberCuba, which also discusses the approval of Decree-Law 137 of 2026 and Resolution 62/2026. (cibercuba.com) However, the lack of direct access to the full texts of these decrees and resolutions makes it difficult to fully verify the details, and the reliance on a single source for specific claims is a concern.