President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree approving amendments to the Labor Code and the Law on Guarantees of Gender (Men and Women) Equality, aimed at preventing gender-based discrimination in remuneration. According to the new regulations, employers in Azerbaijan are now legally obligated to ensure equal pay for employees performing the same or work of equal value, regardless of their gender.
"Operative Information Center-OMM" reports that the amendments require employers to provide identical wages, bonuses, and other financial incentives to men and women working under the same conditions and holding the same qualifications. The determination of "work of equal value" will be based on factors such as working conditions, the nature of labor functions, and specific tariff-qualification characteristics defined in official state registries. The updated Article 9.1 of the law specifically expands the scope of equality to include different types of work that carry equivalent value, moving beyond previous, more restrictive definitions.
These legislative updates align Azerbaijan's labor framework with international standards, including those set by the International Labour Organization (ILO). By formalizing the principle of "equal pay for work of equal value," the government aims to strengthen social protection and promote gender balance within the national labor market. These reforms are part of a broader initiative in Azerbaijan to modernize the legal system and enhance the protection of citizens' labor rights in accordance with modern economic requirements.
