The report presents information on the measures carried out in 2024 to protect the labor and socio-economic rights of trade union members, safeguard their health, and organize recreation. It also highlights the innovations introduced and projects implemented during the year.
The publication further provides data on the activities of member and affiliated organizations, statistical indicators, as well as steps taken to expand international cooperation.
In Azerbaijan, relations between employees and employers have a long history of development. The initial social dialogue emerged alongside the development of the oil industry, and the first collective agreement in the country was signed in December 1904 between oil workers and employers.
At present, the social dialogue system in the country is based on tripartite relations and encompasses cooperation between the state, employers, and organizations representing the interests of workers.
The Republic of Azerbaijan became a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 1992 and has ratified a number of key ILO conventions, including Convention No. 144 on Tripartite Consultations (International Labour Standards).
The three main parties involved in social dialogue are the Government, the National Confederation of Employers’ (Entrepreneurs’) Organizations, and the Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation. As a result of tripartite consultations conducted at the national level with the technical support of the ILO, the Labour Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan was adopted in 1999.
The Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation (AHIK) is the principal trade union organization recognized at both national and international levels. AHIK has been a member of the International Trade Union Confederation since 2000. Currently, the Confederation brings together more than 25 sectoral trade union organizations with over one million members, more than 40 percent of whom are women. Most sectoral trade union organizations are members of Global Union Federations. As a result of social dialogue and collective bargaining, collective agreements cover the majority of workers in the country.
In 1999, the National Confederation of Employers’ (Entrepreneurs’) Organizations of Azerbaijan (ASK) was established by 11 major companies operating in the telecommunications, insurance, banking, and other sectors. Today, ASK unites more than 1,000 companies operating in 40 sectors of the economy and has over 20 regional branches.
As a result of tripartite discussions, the Ministry prepared the “Regulations of the Tripartite Commission on Social and Economic Issues” and drafted a decision on the establishment of the Commission. Within the framework of cooperation with the ILO, a tripartite conference was held in 2014, during which an agreement was reached to finalize the work required to ensure the full operation of the Commission. Consequently, in September 2016, the Tripartite Commission on Social and Economic Issues, composed of representatives of the social partners, was established.
