The Official Gazette of the Republic of Cuba published details of a new law on self-employment at the end of September 2013, which adds figures, removes limitations on the exercise of certain activities and define more precisely the name and scope of each.
This publication discloses now in its Special Issue no. 3 the Decree Law 315 which updates the provisions for the implementation of measures as a result of offenses committed in the exercise of this form of non-state management.
Executives of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security assured that among the major changes there is a single fixed amount for fines corresponding to the gravity of the infringement, eliminating the minimum and maximum ranges established so far.
Prohibition from exercising certain self-employed activities when it is established that the violation threatens the health or life is also included. This does not prevent the offender from being allowed to have another activity that does not entail the same danger.
The Decree states that when the situation warrants it, confiscation of tools and raw materials will apply both to those involved in the self-employment in legal and illegal ways. Specifically raw materials will be confiscated if they are proven harmful to health or have illicit origin.
The new offenses that were incorporated sell items or provide services not mentioned in the description of the activity for which it is accredited as a self-employed, not entered in the Register of Taxpayers National Tax Administration Office; hinder of intentional action by the competent authority, and alter the price of transportation at the rates established in those services where application is mandatory.
When the offender pays the fine within three business days of notification, the amount of the fine is reduced by half. This bonus is not given to those who commit serious violations and where it is found it had happened before.
Finally, the new regulation eliminates violations as marketing in foreign currency or convertible pesos without having stated it before, using intermediaries and provide services or sell products to state agencies without authority of law; sell in a wholesale manner, and practice self-employed work in a different province to which they are registered.
Check on more information on these topics in the Official Gazette today that circulates in the country