To members of trade unions of Azerbaijan
17 Oct 2020
Today marks the 115th anniversary of the establishment of Azerbaijani trade unions, the largest non-governmental organization in Azerbaijan. We congratulate all our colleagues on this occasion.
Our organization was founded on October 17, 1905 in Baku
by the establishment of the first trade union of workers and employees of the
Konka (horse-railway). Beginning in November of that year, more than a dozen
professionals began to organize in the ranks of the first trade unions. Thus,
the growing trade union movement became an influential organization in solving
the social and labor problems of working people and their families.
Although the trade unions of Azerbaijan operate in the
conditions of various social structures, they have always remained faithful to
their mission and have a great reputation among the working population.
Especially the 70s and 80s of the last century are written in golden letters in
the history of our organization. National leader Heydar Aliyev expressed
confidence and trust in our organization in those years, taking into account
the fact that the trade union has invaluable opportunities to improve the
welfare of our people, the reliable protection of workers' rights. This
attitude of the great statesman increased the confidence of the people in our
organization and strengthened the flow of its ranks.
In the short time since the collapse of the Soviet system
and the formation of new economic relations, trade unions have been able to
maintain their existence despite great pressure. The people did not support the
government's greedy attacks on trade unions. The courage and professionalism of
the personnel trained by our organization also played an important role in
overcoming these attacks. The return of Heydar Aliyev to power for the second
time at the request of the people gave a second life to the trade union. The
adoption of the Law on Trade Unions in 1994 allowed our organization to fulfill
its mission in full force.
The trade union has a worthy place among the permanent
participants of the reforms carried out by the President of the Republic of
Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in all spheres of society, remaining faithful to the
economic and social policy of the national leader and successfully continuing
it at the level of new requirements.
Trade unions are participants in all social projects and
partners with government agencies in improving the legal framework. Today, the
ATUC successfully operates in a tripartite commission established jointly by
the Government of the Republic and the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs
(Employers) of the Republic of Azerbaijan. At the same time, the General
Collective Agreement was signed between the Cabinet of Ministers of the
Republic of Azerbaijan, the Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan and the
National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) of the Republic of
Azerbaijan. They are also responsible for the protection of health, the
organization of leisure time of employees and other issues. By fulfilling their
obligations, the parties contribute to the solution of social problems of
employees. Today, Azerbaijani trade unions resolutely defend the rights and
interests of not only their members, but also non-union workers. This means
that trade unions, along with other social organizations operating in the
country, are at the forefront of protecting the social rights of workers.
We can say with certainty that the Confederation of Trade
Unions of Azerbaijan has a special role in the existence of legislation on the
protection of workers' rights at the level of international standards.
At the initiative
and proposal of the Azerbaijan Trade Union Confederation, a number of
amendments and additions to the Labor Code and other legal acts have been made
in the last few years, which are of special importance in terms of protection
of labor and social rights of employees. We are proud that all these
initiatives and proposals have been realized with the blessing of the President
of the Republic, Mr. Ilham Aliyev.
Dear Colleagues!
Our people and state have recently faced another test,
and the COVID-19 pandemic is causing complications in our country, damaging our
economy and harming the health of our people. Along with government agencies,
trade unions are with our people in the fight against this invisible, dangerous
virus. Executes strict public control over unjustified redundancies in the
workplace, the payment of wages and benefits, provides financial assistance to
people with disabilities or low-income.
