A regular board meeting was held at the Ministry.

In the current year, expenditures of the State Social Protection Fund (DSMF) are projected to amount to 8.5 bln. manats, which is 807 million manats more compared to last year. At the same time, state budget expenditures on social protection and social provision are expected to reach 4 bln. 873 mln. manats, which is 121.2 mln. manats more than in the previous year. The indicated figures show that significant increases in funds allocated to the social protection sector will continue in 2026 as well.

This was stated at the board meeting held at the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population. Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Population Anar Aliyev emphasized that 5 social reform packages implemented over the past 7 years based on the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev have enabled significant increases in social payments. It was noted that last year, within the framework of the next social reform package, further increases were made in wages, pensions, benefits, and scholarships. As a continuation of measures to strengthen the social protection system of the population, it was highlighted that pensions covering approximately 1.1 mln. citizens are expected to be indexed and increased by around 9 percent in the near future.

The work carried out in the field of social protection in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic over the past year was discussed. It was noted that over the last year, more than 6.8 thousand people were covered by active employment programs in the autonomous republic, which is 27 percent more compared to the previous year, including nearly 950 people involved in the self-employment program. It was brought to attention that the Nakhchivan Regional DOST Center will be opened in the near future, major renovation works are underway to establish DOST branches in Sharur, Babek, Julfa, Ordubad, Kangarli, and Sadarak districts, and design works are being carried out for the establishment of the Shahbuz DOST branch and the Nakhchivan DOST Inclusive Development and Creativity Center. It was also reported that last year the Nakhchivan branch of the Labour Protection Center began operations, the “DOST Inspector” and “Rehabus” projects were implemented in the autonomous republic as well, and more than 1300 people received inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services at rehabilitation centers in Nakhchivan over the past year.

The work carried out in the field of state control over compliance with labour legislation in the country and the transition process to electronic labour contracts were discussed. It was noted that over the past year, delays in the payment of 842.3 thousand manats to employees were identified, and as a result of the measures taken, this amount was paid to employees by employers. It was also emphasized that 89 employees whose labour contracts had been unlawfully terminated were reinstated to their previous jobs.

It was stated that last year, nearly 4 thousand lonely elderly and persons with disabilities received mobile social services at their homes, more than 2.3 thousand people received stationary social services at social service institutions, and 1620 privileged individuals were provided with sanatorium-resort vouchers. It was emphasized that employment promotion programs, which are a key factor in social welfare, are being expanded year by year. Over the past year, 567 thousand people were covered by active employment measures, including 189 thousand people provided with jobs and small family farms established for 16.8 thousand people under the self-employment program.

It was noted that 887 thousand people benefited from DOST center services last year, and overall, 4.1 million citizens have used DOST center services to date, while efforts to expand the DOST center network across the country continue. Over the past year, disability status was assigned to 54.5 thousand people, 142 thousand persons with disabilities received rehabilitation services, and 13.7 thousand people were provided with 212 thousand rehabilitation devices.

At the meeting, the work carried out last year in the mentioned areas and the targets for this year were discussed.