State Secretary Yasmin Fahimi welcomed Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security of the Republic of Cuba María Molina Gutiérrez for talks at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs on 22 June 2016.
The talks focussed on the topics of the market economy and the social partnership between business and labour in Germany. State Secretary Fahimi stressed the importance of collective bargaining freedom and strong social partners in setting adequate wages and ensuring a level playing field for companies given sufficient flexibility.
Another focus of the conversation was the social protection of the self-employed in Cuba, who now number almost 500,000. As a means of maintaining social standards and bringing together innovative solutions, economic success and social protection, State Secretary Fahimi presented the concept of social entrepreneurship, which has gained importance in Germany in recent years, especially in the fields of education, labour market integration and social services. Social entrepreneurship could be a model for Cuba to promote private sector development, while ensuring the maintenance of social protection, said State Secretary Fahimi.
Vice-Minister Gutierrez and State Secretary Fahimi agreed to strengthen the newly established exchange between the two labour ministries on this and other topics.