Cuba is promoting a process of transformations called “updating the economic model” that constitute a strategic opportunity in terms of development because they address critical nodes of the economic model, but impose a set of social and labor challenges that will require a specific follow-up from social policy and public institutions. The United Nations System (UNS) in the country begins the implementation of its new Cooperation Framework for Sustainable Development (2020-24) signed with the government of Cuba responding to national and local priorities in key development challenges that the UNS can accompany to implement in the country the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.COVID-19 adds unprecedented challenges in terms of policy response. To contain the spread of the virus and ensure the responsiveness of health and social care systems, governments face complicated public policy decisions in contexts of scarce resources, and labor markets with high levels of informality. While the context described above differs substantially from country to country, an effective policy response to COVID-19 must simultaneously: (1) defend health systems from collapse to minimize deaths from COVID-19 and other causes; (2) protect workers who lose income; (3) protect employment and productive activity; and (4) find sources to finance the additional fiscal spending required. Under these conditions, it is critical for governments to have analytical information to make public policy decisions and with this objective in mind, the present project produces a series of analytical reports to facilitate, in alliances with national and territorial actors, initiatives that contribute to socio-economic responses to covid-19 and the implementation of Social and Labor Observatories.
Start date: 09/12/2020
Finish date: 30/04/2021
Financing: Oficina de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo- Cuba
Grant agreement reference: 20-CUB-248
Responsable researcher: Antonio MartÃn Artiles
