The new Labor Code entered into effect in Cuba. (Photo by Alejandro Menéndez Vega, used with permission) After several months and intense debates in the workplace ,and the National Assembly of the People's Power, the new Labor Code was issued in the context of the expansion of private businesses and incentives for foreign investments. But the exclusion of anti-discriminatory articles regarding gender identity and harassment at work have sparked controversy on the Island. The new Code stresses a ban on child labor and special protections for young people between 15 and 18 years old. Furthermore, it regulates worker's rights to improve, as well as their right to daily and weekly breaks, and annual paid vacation time. “There has been a lot of talk regarding this new law on national news,” Camilo García comments on his blog, “especially laying down legislation regarding work relations in non-state owned businesses, something that is essential with this continued exponential growth and which, for that matter, is needed to protect those who are employed there.” Gender identity neglected (Photo by Jorge Luis Baños, used with permission) Gender identity was not included as cause of discrimination in the new Labor Code, only “sexual orientation.” Article 2b, referring to the grounds of discrimination, has generated strong controversy in blogs and social networks. This provision states that Todo ciudadano en condiciones de trabajar tiene derecho a obtener un empleo atendiendo a las exigencias de la economía y a su elección, tanto en el sector estatal como no estatal; sin discriminación por el color de la piel, género, creencias religiosas, orientación sexual, origen territorial, discapacidad y cualquier otra distinción lesiva a la dignidad humana. Any citizen able to work has the right to employment while addressing the demands of the economy and to choose a sector owned or not owned by the state; without discrimination on grounds of skin color, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, disability and other eminence harmful to human dignity. Francisco Rodríguez, journalist and sexual rights activist , noted in his blog: Estoy indignado porque ocurrió lo que no debía suceder. El nuevo Código de Trabajo acaba de ser publicado, sin incluir de forma explícita a la identidad de género como uno de los motivos para no discriminar, dentro de los principios fundamentales que rigen el derecho al empleo. I am outraged because what never should have occurred, happened. The new Labor Code has just been published, without explicit inclusion of sexual identity as one of the motives to not discriminate, within the key principles that govern employment rights. The fight against discrimination based on sexual orientation was part of the project discussed by the Cuban National Assembly last December. Furthermore, after having taken into account discussions amongst representatives, disability has also been in included. However, the proposal of representative and chairwoman of the National Center for Sex Education (Centro Nacional de Educación Sexual or Cenesex), Mariela Castro, for the need to include gender identity in order to protect transsexual people, was not acknowledged. Rodríguez notes: El asunto es muy grave. Pone en entredicho los métodos y formas de trabajo de la Asamblea Nacional del Poder Popular, el cumplimiento de los procedimientos legislativos por parte de la dirección del máximo órgano del Estado y la transparencia en la toma de decisiones a partir de la voluntad de los diputados y las diputadas, los únicos que pueden ejercer el derecho de aprobar o modificar leyes en representación del pueblo cubano. This is a very serious matter. This undermines the methods and ways of work by the National Assembly of People's Power, compliance of legislative procedures managed by the highest body of the State and the transparency in the decision-making stems from the will of the members, the only ones who can exercise their right to approve or modify legislation representing the Cuban people. In accordance with Rodríguez, the inclusion of gender identity as a cause of discrimination “was only rejected in the Parliament by the Secretary of State Council, who despite admitting that he did not fully understand the issue, took a stand against it.” Rodriguez expounds: También presentó sus reservas hacia las propuestas de la diputada Mariela, el presidente de la Comisión de Asuntos Constitucionales y Jurídicos, quien fue encargado para dirigir la comisión que concluiría la redacción del cuerpo legal. No fue atendida ni siquiera la sugerencia del primer vicepresidente cubano, Miguel Díaz-Canel, quien medió en la discusión y abogó por tener en cuenta lo allí planteado por Castro Espín.