Cuban President Raul Castro discussed sweeping reforms when he addressed the National Assembly Monday in one of its twice-yearly sessions.

Mr. Castro discussed possible migration reform. Officials said Cuba is considering the elimination of the “white card” – a form used for requesting permission to leave the island nation. The travel restrictions have been in place since the early days of Fidel Castro's rule.

Raul Castro also discussed economic reforms including allowing Cubans to freely buy and sell homes and cars for the first time since the 1960s. That change could be in place later this year.

Lawmakers also discussed plans to lay off hundreds of thousands of government workers and the phasing out of government ration cards for basic goods.

No official legislation was introduced Monday.

Foreign journalists were not invited to attend the National Assembly's session. The state news agency paraphrased the legislative session.

Raul Castro replaced his brother Fidel five years ago, assuming presidential duties on an interim bases, then officially became Cuban president in 2008.