A meeting of the Tripartite Commission on Social and Economic Affairs was held

In the near future, our country is expected to ratify the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention No. 155 on “Occupational Safety, Health and the Environment”. Many changes will be made in the labor legislation in accordance with the ILO approaches and in the interests of both employees and employers.

This was stated by Minister of Labor and Social Protection, Chairman of the Tripartite Commission on Social and Economic Affairs Sahil Babayev at the next meeting of the Commission.

The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation (AHIK) and the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan are represented in the Tripartite Commission.

The Minister stressed that one of the directions of reforms in the social sphere on the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev is the continuous improvement of labor legislation on the basis of progressive international norms. For this purpose, a new draft law on amendments to the Labor Code has been prepared. The changes serve to more fully ensure the labor, social and economic rights of labor market participants.

Noting that our country, a member of the ILO Governing Body, has joined ILO Convention No. 58 in the past, Babayev noted that the Convention, which is to be ratified, is also aimed at ensuring occupational safety. He said that the Occupational Safety Center will also make an important contribution in this area.

Speeches were made on the issues of the agenda. In connection with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Commission’s updated Work Plan for 2020 was approved, and some changes were made in the composition of the Commission.

Law on “Amendments to the Labor Code” and projects of “National Strategy for the Development of Social Services in the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2020-2026” and projects related to the implementation of state control over the observance of labor legislation in a risk-based manner, the establishment of the Center for Occupational Safety, draft amendments to the Law on “Non-Bank Financial Institutions” and the ratification of ILO Convention No. 155 were discussed at the meeting.

It was decided to continue discussions on the proposals made at this meeting of the Commission on these issues at the level of working groups by representatives of social partners.