An international training for Azerbaijani and Moldovan Trade Unions activists was held in Baku
08 May 2019
Training on "Evaluating the ILO Program on Decent Work in Sustainable Development for the Trade Union in the Region" was held on May 8 in Baku.
The
event was supported by the International Labor Organization (ILO) and organized
by Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation.
Speaking
at the event, chairman of the Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation, member of
the Milli Majlis Sattar Migbaliyev informed that today's training is held with
the participation of the Azerbaijani and Moldovan Trade Unions activists. This
is not accidental since there are fruitful cooperation ties between Moldova and
Azerbaijan trade unions.
Friendship,
cooperation and fraternity relations between our countries are developing in
all areas, as well as in trade unions. The continuity of our friendship and the
established trust has been for the benefit of trade unions and workers of the
two countries for many years, and as well as served to the establishment of
tight relations. The solid cooperation between the National Confederation of
Trade Unions of Moldova and the AHIK creates great opportunities for positive
results in the protection of social and legal interests of employees.
Mr.
Migdaliyev noted that mutual visits of our representatives, exchange of
experience, holding training courses, meetings and other joint events created a
great basis for our cooperation. At our regional conference held in Chisinau,
the capital of the Republic of Moldova in October last year, our employees also
participated in the regional conference on "What is the importance of
sustainable development goals for trade unions?" It is gratifying that
many representatives from Moldova participate in this training. I believe that
today's meeting is a good opportunity to exchange experience for our
cooperation.
As you know,
the International Labor Organization highly appreciated the work carried out by
Azerbaijan and Moldova in the implementation of the Sustainable Development
Goals and selected them as a priority country. It is also known to you that
both republics have joined the "Transformation of our Earth: Sustainable
Development Agenda until 2030". The Sustainable Development Goal, which
has been ratified by the UN member states at the Sustainable Development Summit
held on 25-27 September 2015, has been officially entered into force in January
2016.
The AHIK
President said that state programs on ensuring sustainable socio-economic
development have been adopted and successfully implemented in our country.
Highly professional programs stimulate the economic activity of the population,
lead to a significant improvement in the living standards and a comprehensive
progress in the regions of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan's trade unions are also
trying to establish closer cooperation with the private sector, to improve
their working conditions, and to enhance their involvement in the rule-making
process.
Together
with our social partners, we have taken concrete steps in this direction. We
have adopted a Concept on 8 directions and its implementation has been
commenced. It was taken into consideration that the International Labor
Organization was committed to achieving the eighth objective of sustainable
development through the provision of full and productive employment and decent
work, equal pay for unequal labor, unemployment reduction among young people,
ending all forms of child labor, informal economy, regulation of
entrepreneurship, protection of labor rights, creation of safe and secure
working conditions, and labor migration issues as key priorities.
He
stressed that in order to support sustainable development in the country; it is
of particular importance to determine the agreed general principles of
socio-economic policy, to regulate social-labor relations, and to develop
social dialogue to maintain social stability. The Tripartite Commission on
Social and Economic Affairs is of particular importance in implementing these
issues.
This
commission, which directs the targeted activities of social partners, plays an
important role in implementing the ILO's sustainable development goals by
bringing the issues under social-friendly relations to a new, higher level.
We
prefer cooperation with international organizations, the private sector, civil
society, local authorities, employers and other stakeholders to achieve
sustainable development goals.
By the
way, AHIK has organized more than 13 international events over the past two
years. The events covered not only Baku, but also five regions of our republic.
Discussions were held with the participation of our social partners on "Explanation
and Implementation of ILO Recommendation 204, Trade Unions Policies in the
Informal Economy, "" Sustainable Development: Obligations and
Prospects of Trade Unions " the Future spheres of labor, sustainable
development, job placement and prospects of trade unions, International Labor
Organization: 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, Towards Sustainable
Development Goals, Sustainable Development and Decent Work.
At the
beginning of this year, as a result of the reforms implemented in our country,
salaries, pensions and scholarships have been increased and indexed in line
with consumer demand, adaptation of real income to the market level,
strengthening social protection of vulnerable people, students, disabled
people, martyr families and veterans, social insurance rules, targeted social
assistance and the improvement of the pension system is part of the
manifestation of the diversified social policy of the Azerbaijani state. During
the last 15years salaries increased 7 fold, the pensions 9 fold and the minimum
wage 14 fold.
For many
years, the issue of bringing the minimum wage to the subsistence minimum was
reflected in the General Collective Bargaining Agreement, which we have held in
our negotiations with government and government agencies. This issue was also
raised at the congresses and councils of AHIK as well as field trade unions. Bringing
minimum salary to the 60% of the minimum monthly wage is also one of the main
requirements of the Modified European Social Charter. This issue is reflected
in several State Programs adopted in our republic. The decree signed by the
President of the country to minimize the minimum wage with the minimum
subsistence allowance has opened new opportunities for this issue. According to
the decree, starting from March 1, the minimum wage in the country is 180
manats, which means the increase in salaries of 600,000 employees.
At the
opening ceremony, the head of the Bureau of European and Central Asian Workers'
Affairs Sergius Glovaskas, the Chairperson of the Moldovan National Trade Union
Confederation Oleg Budzha and the ILO National Coordinator Yashar Hamzayev made
speeches at the opening ceremony.
Moldovan
National Trade Union Confederation Chairman Oleg Budzha spoke about the importance
of the event. He said that the change of countries, cities, businesses in the
world sets steadfast development plans in the face of trade unions. The new
goals and objectives of the society are complex, which should ensure the
balance of economic, social and environmental components of sustainable
development. This urgent issue of the modern era should be one of the main
directions of trade unions' activity.
ILO
National Coordinator in Azerbaijan Yashar Hamzayev informed the participants of
the conference on the adoption and successful implementation of state programs
to ensure sustainable socio-economic development in our country. Y.Hamzoyev
said that these highly prepared programs stimulate the economic activity of the
population, significantly improve the living standards and lead to
comprehensive development of the regions of Azerbaijan.
Albanian
Independent Trade Union Confederation President Gazim Kalaja said that the
people of both countries have an ancient history. Albania is Europe's smallest
country, the state has strong citizens.
Then, AHIK
signed agreements on bilateral cooperation between the Confederations of Trade
Unions of Moldova and Albania.
The training was continued with discussions on
the topic
