Meeting was held at ATUC with chief of the IOM’s Mission in Azerbaijan
10 Jun 2019
On June 10, the chairman of ATUC, MP Sattar Mohbaliyev received Mr. Vladimir Gjorgjiev, Chief of the International Organization for Migration’s Mission in Azerbaijan. We should note that V.Gjorgjiev has been in this position since February 2019.
S.Mohbaliyev congratulated his guest on
the start of his activities in Azerbaijan and wished success in his new
mission. Informing the guest about the activities of Azerbaijan Trade Unions
Confederation with regard to migrant workers, S.Mohbaliyev said trade unions
try to ensure evaluation of migrant workers’ labor in the same way as of the
local ones, defense of their rights within trade unions, protection from
employer’s arbitrariness and provision of fair salaries.
It is known that rights of employees are
regularly infringed where no trade unions exist and collective contracts are
awarded. Vacations are not provided, sick leave certificates are not
considered, salaries are reduced and no places exist for such employees to be defended.
Becoming a member of trade unions ensure provision of legal aid for migrant
workers as well as signing by employer’s manager of labor contract to document
the migrant workers of informal sector.
S.Mohbaliyev noted that Work group on
issues of migrant workers had been established at ATUC for the said purpose.
Establishment of this Work group aimed at informing migrant workers on equality
of rights and opportunities to adapt in the new state, provide proper explanations
and support, providing support in establishing relations with government
agencies and law-enforcement agencies for their stay in the country, search of
a job, access to labor market, execution of labor and social rights, development
of skills, education, medical services as well as getting involved in social
entities.
The chairman of ATUC stated that they had for
many years been taking steps to protect social and economic rights of migrants
living and working in the country, trying to ensure working migrants become
members of trade union organizations. Recently, we had achievements as a result
of discussions held with trade union organizations of Sverdlovsk, Volgograd,
Astrakhan and other regions of the Russian Federation. I should note that a lot
of compatriots live in those regions. We have done significant work to protect
the rights of Azerbaijanis living and working there. For this purpose, we
expect in the coming days to sign mutual agreements with trade union
organizations of those regions. One of the precedent conditions envisaged in
such agreements is financing of the management personnel working there by trade
unions and allocation of special salaries for them.
