RAUL CASTRO: NO REFORM BUT CUBA ECONOMY CONTROL TO EASE
Baku, August 4 (AZERTAC). President Raul Castro insists the Cuban revolution is stronger than ever Cuban President Raul Castro has ruled out large-scale market reforms to revive the communist island`s struggling economy, according to the BBC.
But Mr Castro said the role of the state would be reduced in some areas, with more workers allowed to be self-employed or to set up small businesses.
Urgent measures would aim to cut the "overloaded" state payroll, he said.
Speaking to Cuba`s National Assembly, Mr Castro nonetheless insisted the socialist system was "irrevocable".
He was conscious that the Cuban people expected measures to pull the country out of a deep economic crisis, the president told the assembly.
He said some restrictions on issuing licences to small businesses would be lifted, and they would also be allowed to employ staff.
A scheme launched earlier this year under which some hairdressers are allowed to work for themselves is likely to be extended to many other areas, says the BBC`s Michael Voss, in Havana.
Mr Castro, 79, also warned that unproductive or under-employed workers in the state sector would have to find other jobs.
"We have to end forever the notion that Cuba is the only country in the world where you can live without working," he said
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