There is a long history of relationships between employees and employers in Azerbaijan. Initial 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.
Azerbaijan became a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 1992 and ratified many conventions, including the ILO Convention No. 144 on "Tripartite Consultations (International Labour Standards)."
The three parties involved in social dialogue are the Government, the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and 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 main trade union organization recognized both nationally and internationally is the Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation (ATUC). The ATUC has been a member of the International Trade Unions Confederation since 2000. Currently, it unites more than 25 trade union organizations with over 1 million members, of whom more than 40% are women. Most of the 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 majority of employees in the country.
In 1999, the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organizations (ASK) was established by 11 major companies operating in telecommunications, insurance, banking, and other sectors. Currently, ASK brings together more than 1,000 companies operating in 40 sectors and has over 20 regional branches.
As a result of tripartite discussions, the Ministry prepared the "Regulations of the Tripartite Commission for Socio-Economic Issues" and a draft resolution for the establishment of the Commission. In cooperation with the ILO, a tripartite conference was organized by the Ministry in 2014, leading to an agreement on finalizing the work to make the Tripartite Commission fully operational. As a result, the Tripartite Commission for Socio-Economic Issues was established in September 2016, consisting of representatives from social partners.
