International Relations
The Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation (AHIK) plays a vital role in defending workers’ rights and promoting social justice through active international cooperation and participation in the global trade union movement. ATUC is a member of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the Pan-European Regional Council (PERC), the General Confederation of Trade Unions (GCTU), and the Organization of Turkic States Trade Unions (OTSTU), and maintains close collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Furthermore, the Confederation has established bilateral partnerships with trade union centers in nearly 70 countries around the world.
Key Areas of ATUC’s International Engagement:
• Protection of Workers’ Rights and Promotion of Social Justice:
AHIK actively advocates for labor rights on the international stage. It participates in global initiatives aimed at combating violations of workers’ rights and advancing the cause of social justice.
• Education and Training Initiatives:
The Confederation engages in a variety of international education and training programs designed to enhance the protection of workers’ rights, improve labor relations, and support the development of strong and effective trade unions.
• Participation in International Conferences and Seminars:
Representing Azerbaijan, AHIK takes part in international conferences and seminars, contributing to discussions on labor rights, social protection, working conditions, and other key issues. These platforms allow AHIK to both share its experiences and learn from global best practices.
• Humanitarian and Social Assistance:
In cooperation with international trade union organizations, AHIK supports humanitarian and social aid efforts, particularly those aimed at assisting countries affected by natural disasters and other crises.
• Global Solidarity and Development:
AHIK is committed to strengthening international cooperation in order to contribute to the advancement of the global trade union movement and uphold the principles of social justice worldwide.
The International Labor Organization (The ILO)
The International Labour Organization (ILO) was established in 1919 as part of the Versailles Peace Agreement signed at the end of World War I. Since 1946, the ILO has been a specialized agency of the United Nations.
The ILO is an influential international organization responsible for the development and supervision of international labour standards, and for the protection of social, economic, human, and labour rights. Unlike other specialized agencies of the United Nations, the ILO has a tripartite governance structure, which brings together representatives of governments, employers, and workers. This unique structure promotes decent work for all women and men by ensuring that the perspectives of all three groups are reflected in the ILO’s standards, policies, and programs.
Representatives of governments, employers, and workers actively participate in all ILO bodies and play a vital role in the adoption of conventions and recommendations. The ILO’s supreme decision-making body is the International Labour Conference, which convenes once a year. Often referred to as the “International Labour Parliament,” the conference adopts international regulations concerning the ILO’s general policy, work program, and budget, as well as labour-related conventions and recommendations. It also monitors member states’ compliance with ratified conventions.
The ILO operates through three main bodies:
1. The International Labour Conference
2. The Governing Body
3. The International Labour Office (acting as the Secretariat)
Each of these bodies includes representatives of governments, employers, and workers.
The ILO is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The current Director-General of the ILO is Gilbert F. Houngbo, who was elected by the Governing Body in March 2022. He is the first African to hold this position.
The Republic of Azerbaijan has been a member of the ILO since May 1992. Azerbaijan has ratified 59 ILO Conventions and 1 Protocol, of which 54 are currently in force. Three conventions have been denounced, and three documents have been cancelled.
Since 1997, the Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation (AHIK) has been closely cooperating with the ILO, actively participating in joint seminars and conferences. Since 1998, AHIK has been accredited by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan and participates annually as part of the country’s official delegation to the ILO International Labour Conference in Geneva.
The Pan-European Regional Council (PERC)
The Pan-European Regional Council (PERC) is an international organization founded on March 19, 2007, in Vienna. This organization works to protect workers' rights and promote social justice in the European region and other regions. The Pan-European Regional Council covers 45 member countries of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and has 90 national centers with a total of 85 million members. The main goal of the PERC is to protect the rights of workers, promote social development, and strengthen democracy.
The organization's activities are extensive and cover mainly such areas as supporting sustainable economic growth policies, combating discrimination, promoting democracy and social dialogue, organizational development, and reducing the socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The PERC implements various projects in these areas in cooperation with trade unions and other social partners.
The PERC structure consists of various organs. The General Assembly is the highest governing body, meeting every four years to determine the priorities of activities in the region, accept reports, and elect the leadership of the organization. The Executive Committee meets at least once a year and prepares action plans. The Steering Committee, consisting of the Secretary-General, the President, and the Vice-Presidents, gathers twice a year to ensure the PERC’s continuity. The Secretariat coordinates the day-to-day activities of the organization and consists mainly of responsible persons appointed by the PERC Secretary-General and the ITUC Secretary-General. Among the organization's offices, the PERC Secretariat is in Brussels, and the PERC Southeast European Office is in Sarajevo.
The PERC consists of the leadership of the European Regional Council: President, Secretary-General, and Vice-Presidents. At present, the President of the PERC is the Chairman of CNSC, Igor Zubcu. The Secretary-General is also the Secretary-General of the European Trade Union Confederation, Esther Lynch. Among the Vice-Presidents are the President of Turkey's DISK, Arzu Çerkezoğlu; the President of Kazakhstan's FPRK, Satıbaldı Dauletalin; the Secretary for Gender Issues of Russia's KTR, Irina Gorshkova; the Vice-President of Georgia's GTUC, Raisa Liparteliani; the First Secretary of Norway's LO, Culi Lodrup; the President of Poland's OPZZ, Piotr Ostrowski; the Director of the International Department of Austria's ÖGB, Markus Stromayer; the President of Ukraine's KVPU, Mykhailo Volynets; and the Vice-President of Albania's KSSH, Anisa Subashi.
The Pan-European Regional Council is a crucial step to connect the trade union movement at the international level, protect the rights of employees, and ensure social justice. The organization also cooperates with global and regional partners and continues to maintain the interests of employees.
The Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation (AHIK) is a member of the Pan-European Regional Council since 2007. In the elections held on December 13, 2022, the representative of AHIK was elected as the Chair of the Women's Committee of the PERC for the next four-year term. In October 2024, the AHIK representative was also elected as a member of the Youth Committee of the WCL.
The International Trade Unions Confederation (ITUC)
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) was founded on November 1, 2006, following the merger of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) and the World Confederation of Labour (WCL). ITUC is a global organization dedicated to defending workers’ rights and promoting social justice worldwide. It works to protect labor rights, advance social justice, and support economic and social development on an international scale.
The organization’s legal framework is established by the ITUC Constitution.
The ITUC’s governance structure comprises the Congress, the General Council, the Executive Committee, and the Secretariat. The leadership team includes the President, the General Secretary, and a group of Vice Presidents. The current President is Akiko Gono, and the General Secretary is Luca Visentini. The 39 Vice Presidents represent trade union leaders from across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Trade unions from Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Ukraine are among the members represented.
The Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation (AHIK) has been a member of the ICFTU since 2001 and joined the ITUC upon its establishment in 2006. At the 35th General Council meeting of the ITUC, held on December 3, 2024, in Brasília, Brazil, AHIK Chairman Sahib Mammadov was elected as a Vice President of the ITUC.
The General Confederation of Trade Unions (GCTU)
The General Confederation of Trade Unions (GCTU) was established on April 16, 1992, in Moscow, the capital of the Russian Federation. The founding members of the organization include Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Armenia. Azerbaijan (in 2004), Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova joined the organization later.
The GCTU’s areas of activity cover a wide range. The organization carries out activities aimed at protecting the socio-economic interests and rights of its members. To this end, cooperation and mutual assistance among trade unions are encouraged.
The GCTU plays an important role in strengthening relations with trade unions in the countries where its member organizations operate and in ensuring mutual support. The organization also ensures the coordination of activities in areas of common interest among its member organizations and takes part in integration processes, as well as in the social and labor spheres, including the development of legislative frameworks. The GCTU also actively participates in the development and presentation of joint positions at the interstate level.
The structure of the GCTU consists of its governing bodies: the Congress, the General Council, and the Executive Committee. Its leadership includes the President, the General Secretary, and the Vice-Presidents. The current President of the GCTU is Aleksandr Korchagin.
The GCTU also cooperates with various bodies of the NIS, the Eurasian Economic Community, and the interstate institutions of the Eurasian Economic Union. Together with these institutions, the organization implements various projects and initiatives aimed at promoting social and economic development in the region, protecting workers’ rights, and regulating labor relations.
The General Confederation of Trade Unions continues its work to protect the socio-economic interests of workers, promote international cooperation, and strengthen mutual support among trade unions.
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The Turkic Countries Trade Unions Organization (TDHİT)
The establishment date of the Organization of Trade Unions of Turkic States (OTSTU) began on July 29, 2023, with the signing of the agreement to found the organization in the city of Shusha. On September 22, 2023, the organization's founding assembly was held in the city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, and on November 29, 2023, the 1st Congress was organized in Ankara, Turkey.
Among the members of the organization are the Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation, the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (“TÜRK-İŞ”), the Uzbekistan Federation of Trade Unions, the Kazakhstan Federation of Trade Unions, and the Kyrgyzstan Federation of Trade Unions.
The main goal of the Organization of Trade Unions of Turkic States is to ensure that member countries achieve common objectives in economic and social fields, as well as to protect and defend the rights and interests of trade unions. The organization also coordinates the activities of its member organizations and operates within the framework of international law.
The main governing bodies of the organization are the Congress, the Assembly, and the Supervisory and Audit Commission. The Congress is convened every three years, the Assembly meets at least once a year, and the Supervisory and Audit Commission is elected for a three-year term.
The organization’s leadership includes a president and vice presidents. Currently, the position of president of the organization is held by Ergün Atalay, the chairman of the Turkish “TÜRK-İŞ” Confederation, while the honorary president position is held by Qudrätulla Rafikov, the chairman of the Uzbekistan Federation of Trade Unions. The Secretary-General is Satıbaldı Dauletalı, the chairman of the Kazakhstan Federation of Trade Unions.
The headquarters of the Organization of Trade Unions of Turkic States is located in Ankara, Turkey.
International agreements ↗
Convention on Occupational Safety and Health ↗
Convention on Holidays with Pay↗
Convention concerning workers with family responsibilities↗
