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1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Application of an active employment policy. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in October 2007 in reply to its direct request of 2006. The Government indicates that more than half a million new jobs were created during the reporting period, 86 per cent of them in the private sector. Moreover, 83 per cent of new jobs created have benefitted the regions, in particular thanks to the promotion of independent work and entrepreneurship. The Committee notes the adoption of a State Programme for the application of an employment strategy in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2007–10 and a set of priorities for job creation in the context of the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) for the period 2006–09, which lays down a national employment strategy, particularly in favour of young people. According to available data, the unemployment rate was 8.5 per cent in 2005. The Committee requests the Government to include in its next report information on the measures taken to achieve the priorities of the DWCP and on the impact of activities undertaken in the context of the State Programme for the application of an employment strategy in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2007–10 in reducing unemployment. Please also continue to report on the impact of measures taken to reduce imbalances in the labour market between the various regions of the country.

2. Labour market policies and employment services. The Committee previously asked the Government to supply information on the way in which it planned to reinforce the coverage and effectiveness of the employment services. The Government states that during the reporting period, 87,159 persons found jobs through the state employment services. Apart from recruitment fairs, “labour exchanges” are now being held in the cities of Baku, Nakhichevan, Sumqayit, Mingecevir and Ganja. These exchanges enabled 1,786 persons to find jobs in the first half of 2007 alone. Labour exchanges will be held in other cities and regions of the country. The Government also indicates that particular emphasis is being placed on vocational training activities. Hence, during the period covered by the report, 4,976 persons who participated in vocational training courses organized by the state employment services found work. In order to improve the effectiveness of the courses, a regional vocational training centre has been established in Baku. The Government also plans to open similar centres in other locations. The Committee requests the Government to supply information in its next report on the measures taken or contemplated so that the maximum number of unemployed persons can find jobs. Please also indicate the steps taken in the context of training policies aimed at better matching the knowledge, qualifications and skills of workers to the requirements of the labour market.

3. Particular categories of workers. The Government indicates that on 22 November 2005 the Cabinet of Ministers approved Resolution No. 213 issuing regulations with regard to the application of quotas for persons needing social protection and facing difficulties in the labour market. The persons covered by this instrument are people with disabilities, young persons under 20 years of age, parents of single-parent families with children under the age of majority, parents of families with more than two children, mothers of children with disabilities, persons reaching retirement age in less than two years, former prisoners, refugees, disabled war veterans and martyrs’ family members. The quotas are established in accordance with the labour market situation, but without exceeding 5 per cent of the staff members of an undertaking. The Government also points out that the UNDP and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection have set up training courses for persons with disabilities. The Committee would like to examine information on the results achieved by measures taken in favour of vulnerable categories of workers, and on the practical application of the quota system and its impact in terms of the integration of the persons concerned in productive and sustainable employment.

4. Article 2. Collection and use of data on employment. In its previous comment, the Committee noted the Government’s intention to conduct regular analyses of the unemployment situation in the country and to conduct systematic surveys of the active population. It also requested the Government to indicate the measures taken to ensure that there is regular collection and analysis of disaggregated data on the size and distribution of the workforce in the formal and informal economies, and also the impact of unemployment and underemployment. Recalling that data on the labour market are “an essential element for the decision and review of measures to be adopted for attaining the objectives of the Convention” (paragraph 104 of the 2004 General Survey on employment promotion), the Committee hopes that the Government will be in a position to supply information in its next report on the measures taken with a view to the collection and use of such data.

5. Article 3. Participation of the social partners in the drawing up and application of policies. The Government indicates that, in accordance with section 15.1 of the Labour Act of the Republic of Azerbaijan, coordinating committees composed of representatives of workers, employers and government authorities and also of civil society organizations have been set up. These committees are responsible for finding operational solutions to problems arising in the area of employment. Furthermore, the Government is organizing seminars in collaboration with the social partners on the key aspects of the activities of the National Employment Service. The Committee invites the Government to continue to supply information on consultations on employment policy taking place within the tripartite coordinating committees and to indicate how and when these are organized. Please also indicate how far other sections of the active population, particularly representatives of persons working in the rural sector and the informal economy, have been consulted.