MIAMI, United States. – The National Institute of Social Security (INASS) will cease to exist, following the approval of a decree-law by the Council of State. The decision, announced this Monday during the a session of that body of the National Assemblyestablishes that the functions of this entity will be assumed directly by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS) and its provincial and municipal directorates.
The decree-law, entitled “On the Extinction of the National Institute of Social Security,” marks the cessation of operations of this entity, which until now was responsible for managing social security in Cuba. According to the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Marta Elena Feitó CabreraThe measure takes into account “the experience gained during the application of Laws 138 and 139 on the Organization and Functioning of the Provincial Government of People’s Power and the Municipal Administration Council, respectively, and other decree-laws.”
Following the dissolution of INASS, the MTSS will assume control over the application and effectiveness of social security protection, as well as the methodological direction of the processes related to this area. In addition, the functions previously performed by the provincial and municipal branches of INASS will now be managed by the Labour and Social Security departments of local administrations.
The official note does not specify the date on which this decision will come into effect or what will happen to INASS employees. It also does not detail the new mechanisms and procedures that the MTSS will implement, but it was announced that the provision will be published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Cuba.
The INASS, According to the MTSS websitehad the mission of “guaranteeing service to the population benefiting from social security, ensuring the correct planning, administration and control of social security expenses”. It also administered the budget allocated by the State to social security and had territorial representations in all provinces and municipalities, except Mayabeque and Artemisa, where its functions had already been assumed by the Labor Directorates.
During the same session of the Council of State, a decree-law on Cuban sign language was approved and government measures to “correct distortions and boost the economy” were discussed.
