Azerbaijan is formalizing the requirement for equal pay between women and men. The Milli Majlis (National Assembly) has passed a new bill in its first reading aimed at preventing gender-based discrimination in wage payments.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, these amendments cover both the Labor Code and the Law on Guarantees of Gender (Men and Women) Equality. The legislative changes were presented and discussed during today's plenary session of the parliament in Baku.
Changes to the Labor Code: Equal pay for work of equal value
Under the new amendments, employers in Azerbaijan will be required to ensure equal pay for employees performing the same or work of equal value. The primary innovation proposed for the Code is that employers are obligated to pay the same wage to employees performing different but qualitatively equal tasks, regardless of their gender.
The determination of "equal value" will be based on several objective criteria. These include working conditions, the nature of the labor function, and the specific characteristics stipulated in the Unified Tariff-Qualification Reference Books currently in force within the Republic of Azerbaijan.
International obligations: Implementing global standards
The document emphasizes that this step is intended to fully align national legislation with International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 100 and the European Social Charter. Existing legislation previously applied this principle only within the framework of "identical or similar work," failing to encompass the broader definition required by modern international standards.
The driving force behind these legislative updates is Azerbaijan's commitment to its international obligations regarding the provision of gender equality in the workplace. By adopting these standards, the Cabinet of Ministers and the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) aim to strengthen the social protection of workers and modernize the national labor market.
New requirements in the Gender Equality Law
According to the project, conceptual changes are also proposed for the Law on Guarantees of Gender (Men and Women) Equality. Wages must now be paid equally not only for identical tasks but also for work of equal value. This clarifies the responsibilities of employers and prevents gender-based discrimination in the remuneration system.
According to the new edition: Employees working in the same workplace, possessing the same qualification level, and performing work of equal value must receive not only the same salary but also bonuses and other financial incentives at the same level, regardless of gender.
The previous Article 9.1 of the law was more limited and did not apply to men and women performing different but equally valuable tasks. Consequently, the amendment proposes a complete revision of this article to ensure comprehensive coverage.
Approval of the bill
Following extensive discussions, the bill was put to a vote and adopted by the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) in its first reading. This move is seen as a significant step in Azerbaijan's ongoing efforts to promote social justice and economic equality within the framework of the country's progressive legal reforms.
