Azerbaijan is currently developing comprehensive reforms focused on implementing an hourly wage model, ensuring equal pay for work of equal value, and enhancing the protection of children's rights. According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population Anar Aliyev announced these initiatives during the "Entrepreneurship Development is a Strong Economy" event held in Baku.
Aliyev highlighted the ongoing digitalization of labor and employment services, noting that 97% of labor contracts in Azerbaijan are now processed electronically. He mentioned the "Dost Inspector" project, which provides diagnostic assessments to businesses to rectify shortcomings through recommendations rather than fines. According to the official, more than 150 articles of the Labor Code have been amended recently, with nearly 500 adjustments made to various normative legal acts to modernize the legislative framework and improve the business environment.
These reforms are part of a broader social package implemented in Azerbaijan to align the domestic labor market with international standards and ensure sustainable economic growth. Over recent years, the number of labor contracts in the country has increased by 44% to reach 1.9 million, with the private sector seeing a 2.1-fold growth. The minimum wage in Azerbaijan has risen three times to 345 manats, while the average monthly salary has doubled to 1,099 manats. Additionally, the minimum pension has increased 2.9 times to 320 manats, reflecting the government's strategic focus on strengthening social protection for the population.
