Hourly wage system may be introduced in Azerbaijan

Introducing an hourly wage system in Azerbaijan could create new job opportunities and promote flexible employment.

MP Musa Guliyev said this at a meeting of the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) Committee on Labor and Social Policy today, Operative Information Center-OMM reports.

Guliyev said hourly minimum wages could ensure fairer pay for workers in agriculture, housing, tourism, household services, transport services and information technology.

He said the system could also make it easier for women with young children, students and pensioners to enter the labor market, while helping formalize informal employment.

Guliyev noted that the minimum hourly wage must not be lower than the hourly equivalent of the minimum monthly wage.

The Cabinet of Ministers will determine which economic sectors will use the hourly wage system, he said.

The system will be used to pay workers when an employment contract is concluded for less than one month or when weekly working hours do not exceed 20.

In his view, the new mechanism would make employment relations more transparent, protect workers’ rights and create more flexible job opportunities.