Havana - ''Workers have a leading role in the defense of the country and in the economic battle'', Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said on Tuesday regarding the 21st Congress of the Cuban Workers'' Union (CTC).

Diaz-Canel wrote on Twitter that the meeting, held in the Havana Convention Center, 'has to contribute to understanding the moment we are living in and to leading to the broadest discussion on the country's problems.

President of the Councils of State and Ministers attended Monday the first day of work in congressional commissions, opened on Saturday.

Diaz-Canel, before delegates of the event, highlighted the need to materialize the productive chain with tourism and other sectors, boosting a sustainable local development.

He added that local development leads to an increase in wages, improves people' living standards in the territory and fosters food sovereignty.

The Head of State called for participation in May 1, International Workers Day.

The event, which will conclude on Wednesday, under the slogan Unity, Commitment and Victory, gathers more than 1,000 delegates in Havana, including 52 foreigners from trade union organizations from 16 countries in Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa.