The results of the work carried out in the areas of activity of the Ministry over the first nine months of this year and the upcoming tasks were discussed.

Significant steps have been taken this year to strengthen the social protection system in the country. Within the framework of the new reform package implemented based on the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev, new increases in pensions, allowances, have been carried out. At the same time, expanding active employment programs and improving access to the labour market for vulnerable population groups remain among the Ministry’s main priorities.

Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Population, Anar Aliyev, stated this during the Collegium meeting held at the Ministry. He noted that one indicator of the increase in social payments is that during the first nine months of this year, the funds allocated for pension provision increased by 467 million manats, reaching 5 billion 326 million manats. In the same period, 861 million manats were paid for allowances and 551 million manats for presidential scholarships, representing a 7% increase in allocated funds in these directions.

It was noted that during the nine months, the revenues of the State Social Protection Fund under the Ministry exceeded the forecast by 6%, or 342 million manats, amounting to 5 billion 889 million manats. Expenditures increased by 9%, or 481 million manats, compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching 5 billion 628 million manats. The State Employment Agency provided employment for 137,000 people, engaged 13,500 people in vocational training, involved 15,700 people in self-employment programs, and 205,000 people in career guidance services. The newly launched targeted programs were highlighted as important in creating jobs and improving employment opportunities for people with special social protection needs and those facing difficulties entering the labour market.

It was emphasized that 96% of employment contracts have now been digitalized. The State Labour Inspection Service under the Ministry identified delays in the payment of 380,800 manats of social-related payments by employers during the first nine months of the year. As a result of measures taken, these payments were made to employees. Moreover, 56 employees whose contracts had been unlawfully terminated were reinstated to their previous jobs.

It was reported that the Social Services Agency under the Ministry provided residential services to 2,174 individuals, semi-residential services to 397 people, and services to 551 children in orphanages and small family-type homes. Additionally, 900 children received care at Day Care Centers established in 30 cities and regions.

During January–September of this year, DOST centers provided services to 658,000 citizens. Work on expanding the DOST center network continues, and as part of the ongoing efforts to provide DOST services to residents relocated to the liberated territories, a DOST point of the Karabakh Regional DOST Center was inaugurated in Kalbajar  in August.

The State Agency for Medical-Social Expertise and Rehabilitation under the Ministry determined disability status for 40,400 individuals within nine months, provided rehabilitation services to 103,000 people, and supplied 11,200 persons with disabilities with 104,000 rehabilitation devices.

The National Observatory on Labour Market and Social Protection Issues under the Ministry carried out research on identifying new professions within the framework of the green economy, the skills required for the green transition, and its impact on vocational education.

At the meeting, 130 new occupational and qualification standards were approved. The session also discussed the results achieved and future tasks in areas such as documentation, citizen appeals, and public reception.