Cuba updates rules for workplace illnesses and safety
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The Cuban Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) released Resolution 114/2026, which details updated regulations for identifying and managing occupational diseases within the country’s National Health System.
This new resolution responds to requirements within Cuba’s recently approved Labor Code, specifically Law 189/2026, which mandated MINSAP update its guidelines within 45 days of the law’s passage on July 30. The resolution replaces a previous set of rules from 2014, bringing the standards in line with the current Labor Code.
MINSAP categorizes workplace illnesses into eight groups, including diseases caused by chemical, physical, and biological factors, as well as those affecting the respiratory, skin, musculoskeletal, and mental health of workers. To officially recognize a condition as an occupational disease, healthcare providers must confirm five criteria are met, occupational history, workplace risk assessment, clinical signs, laboratory results, and legal compliance. The regulation requires doctors who suspect a work-related illness to refer patients to specialists.
MINSAP will collaborate with the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, along with labor unions, to validate cases and provide support. Employers are now obligated to follow medical recommendations when an occupational disease is officially declared. Resolution 114/2026 is one of 14 new regulations published to implement the updated Labor Code, alongside two other MINSAP resolutions covering healthcare worker employment and occupational health examinations.
