Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

Azerbaijan has extended the registration time for employment contracts in the electronic system of the Labor and Social Protection of Population Ministry.

This news was announced by Labor and Social Protection of Population Minister Salim Muslimov during a meeting of the Steering Committee for the implementation of the framework document for Labor, Employment and Social Protection. The meeting of the committee which was established by the Islamic Cooperation Organization (OIC) is being held in Baku on June 17-18.

"The Azerbaijani employers have to import all data related to the existing employment contracts in the ministry's electronic information system until July 1, 2014, otherwise they would be fined from 7,000 to 10,000 manats, or sentenced to imprisonment up to three years," he said.

"In accordance with the changes, any electronic notice should enter the base, not only in case of signing the employment contract, but also in case of each changes to this document, as well as its cancellation. Once the system launches completely, the notice will be recorded in a day,"

Muslimov also added that the original deadline for the registration of existing employees was set for July 1.

"Unfortunately, there were some delays in the approval of the registration form. To remove the problem an appropriate decision was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on June 6. Thereby, I think we will grant entrepreneurs a further three month time to conduct all the necessary measures for the registration of all existing employment contracts, " Muslimov emphasized.

The minister also said Azerbaijani banks have demonstrated a very low interest in issuing social cards.

"Therefore, the tender for issuing the replacement card through which the social assistance is provided, had to be postponed. Unfortunately, except Kapital Bank, as reported to me at the commission, no bank has applied to participate in the tender," the minister said, adding that the issue will be resolved in the near future.

"Also, I would like to note that the replacement of the card will be made in any case, regardless of the level of interest and the number of interested banks," Muslimov said.

Addressing the event, Chairman of the Committee on Social policy of the Parliament of Azerbaijan Hadi Rajabli said Azerbaijan can use experiences of Islamic countries in the issues of social protection.

"Azerbaijan is one of the newly independent states, and of course, our country attaches great importance to the exchange of experiences and the development of management in various fields," he said.

The Azerbaijani MP said serious reforms are being carried out by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population, adding that Azerbaijan needs advanced experiences and know-how in this sphere.

Turkey's Ambassador to Azerbaijan Ismail Alper Coskun, in turn, said the session contributes to the development of relations among the OIC member countries and will be the basis for further actions.

"Despite the fact that strong growth is observed in the field of labor, employment and social protection in recent years in all the member countries of the organization, it is obvious that Muslim countries should continue to work to improve those areas," Coskun added.

The two-day event brought together high-level leaders of the relevant authorities of the committee members, representatives of the OIC Secretariat and its subordinate agencies, as well as representatives of the International Labor Organization (ILO).

Steering Committee's members discuss the action plan for fulfillment of the framework agreement, which will provide cooperation on labor, employment and social protection. This agreement was adopted by the Second Conference of Labor Ministers of the OIC member countries in Baku, in 2013.