In Azerbaijan, the relations between workers and employers have a long history. The initial phase of social dialogue began with the development of the oil industry, and the first collective agreement was signed between oil workers and employers in December 1904.
Currently, social dialogue in the country encompasses tripartite relations.
In 1992, Azerbaijan became a member of the International Labour Organization (hereinafter referred to as ILO) and has ratified a number of conventions, including ILO Convention No. 144 on “Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards).”
The three parties involved in social dialogue are the Government, the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations (hereinafter referred to as NCEO), and the Confederation of Trade Unions. As a result of tripartite consultations conducted at the national level with ILO technical support, the Labour Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan was adopted in 1999.
Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation (hereinafter referred to as AHIK) is recognized both nationally and internationally as a leading trade union body Since 2000, AHIK has been a member of the International Trade Union Confederation (hereinafter referred to as ASK). Currently, AHIK unites more than 25 member trade union organizations with over one million members, of whom more than 40% are women. The majority of sectoral trade union organizations are members of Global Union Federations. As a result of social dialogue and collective bargaining between trade unions and employers, collective agreements cover the vast majority of the country’s workforce.
In 1999, the NCEO was established by 11 large companies operating in the telecommunications, insurance, banking, and other sectors. Currently, NCEO unites over 1,000 companies operating in 40 sectors and has more than 20 regional branches.
As a result of tripartite discussions, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan (hereinafter reffered to as the Minsitry) developed the “Statute of the Tripartite Commission on Social and Economic Issues” and a draft decision for establishing the Commission. Within the framework of cooperation with the ILO, a tripartite conference was organized by the Ministry in 2014, where agreement was reached on finalizing the efforts to make the Tripartite Commission fully operational. As a result of this initiative, in September 2016, the Tripartite Commission on Social and Economic Issues, composed of representatives of social partners, was established.
