Since Azerbaijan joined the European Social Charter in 2004, nearly 1.6 million people have been employed in the country, Minister of Labor and Social Protection Salim Muslimov said on Friday.
He made the remarks at a parliamentary seminar “Strengthening of the socio-economic rights in Azerbaijan through the prism of the European Social Charter”, which was co-organized by PACE’s Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development and the Department of the European Social Charter of Council of Europe in Baku on Friday, APA reported.
The minister noted that the unemployment rate in Azerbaijan has decreased to 5% in recent years.
“As the Azerbaijani president stated, the social sphere is a priority for the government and our citizens stand in its center,” said Muslimov. “In recent years, a strong social protection system has been formed, and reforms have been carried out in Azerbaijan. The country meets international standards and requirements in this field.”
The minister said that the labor and social rights of every Azerbaijani citizen are ensured by the country’s Constitution.
“Over the past 13 years, the Azerbaijani president has signed 81 decrees and orders on this area. Monthly, 2,330,000 people are paid over 316 million manats in the field of social protection”, he added.