CCIAF held an online meeting with the Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Population of Azerbaijan
On July 30, 2020, the Azerbaijan the Azerbaijan-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIAF) held an online meeting with Mr. Sahil Babayev, Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Population of Azerbaijan. The meeting was participated by the honored guests – H.E. Mr. Zacharie Gross, Ambassador of France to Azerbaijan, H.E. Mr. Kestutis Jankauskas Head of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan; and directors of the CCIAF member companies.
The meeting started with an opening remark by Zibar Huseynova, CCIAF Managing Director. She talked about the Chamber activities during the pandemic, gave information about the Working Committees’ Information Sessions on measures taken by the government during this period. She noted that the meeting with Mr. Babayev provided an opportunity to exchange information on reforms in the field of labour and employment between the ministry and the private sector.
Mr. Babayev spoke the socio-economic reforms of the government, state support programs for development of entrepreneurship in our country and the role of the private sector in the national economy. The Minister informed participants about the state measures to support employment and social welfare in the country during the pandemic, such as protection of jobs and wages, increase of employment opportunities, expanding of social protection and active employment programs.
Giving information about the prevention of informal employment, increase in the number of employment contracts, cooperation based on social dialogue with entrepreneurs, S.Babayev talked about the steps taken in the following directions: effective mechanisms to stimulate the transition to formal employment in the country, increase the minimum wage, tax benefits, simplification of tax procedures, reduction of the rates of compulsory state social insurance fees and etc.
The Minister informed the participants about the DOST project, the wide range of functional capabilities of the “Employment Contract Notification” subsystem, the “Employment” subsystem. He also spoke about the role of the Chamber in the national economy, noting that in the process of reforming the labor market, special attention is paid to cooperation with entrepreneurs, including members of the CCIAF.
Teyba Guliyeva, Chair of the CCIAF Board noted that the Chamber closely follows and supports the reforms in the social sphere. He stressed that the CCIAF is actively involved in building a dialogue between the public and private sectors.
Zacharie Gross spoke about the cooperation between the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and the relevant agencies of France in improving employment, rehabilitation and management in the social security system. He stressed the importance of developing bilateral relations in the field of employment and social protection.
Kestutis Jankauskas spoke about the social reforms implemented in Azerbaijan, the implementation of the practices of the EU countries to support the development of the labor and social protection system in Azerbaijan as part of these reforms. He noted that the positive results of such cooperation provide an important basis for cooperation in other areas.
After the speech of the Minister, the attendees addressed their questions.