HAVANA, Cuba, May 21 (acn) Until last April 30, 309,728 Cubans were self-employed, out of which 221,839 had received their licenses from October, 2010.

According to some data from the Cuban Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS) published in the Granma newspaper, 22 % of the 221,839 self-employment licenses granted (49,349) were held by small food business owners.

In addition, the number of licenses for hired personnel (38,704) continues increasing due to new regulations approved for expanding and adjusting the hiring of people in all self-employment activities.

Licenses for the transportation of passengers and cargo (13,982) and for producers and sellers of housewares (10,187) have also had great demand.

Out of the total of licenses recently given, 68 % of the new holders were unemployed, whereas retired people and state workers account for 16% each.

Nearly 200,000 people ascribed to the Social Security Special Regime, including license holders from before October, 2010.

Havana is the leading province with the highest number of self-employment licenses granted (66,905), followed by Matanzas (17,943), Villa Clara (15,313), Camagüey (15,926) and Santiago de Cuba (14,354).