HAVANA, Cuba.- More than 390 thousand Cubans have thus far joined the self-employment sector according to the most recent information released by the Labor and Social Security Ministry (MTSS).

The information explains that by the end of the first half of the year, hired workers by other self-employees are majority in the different modalities of the sector, followed by those who dedicate themselves to processing and expending foodstuffs; cargo and passenger transportation ranks third on the line that also includes vendors of produce and house and room rentals.

The largest number of self-employees is developing concentrate in the provinces of Havana, Matanzas, Villa Clara, Camaguey, Holguin and Santiago de Cuba, with 65 percent of all workers in the sector.

The information also explains that out of the total of self-employed workers, 69 percent is made up of citizens who were not involved in any working activity before, while 15 percent had retired from their employments.

In an effort to encourage the development of self-employment, authorities have established more flexible regulations allowing private workers to market their goods and services at state-owned entities and hire labor. They can also access credit lines to purchase necessary resources for their activities.