Social asylums to operate in Azerbaijan
By Amina Nazarli
Social asylums are expected to be built in Azerbaijan in 2015, and work is underway to determine their number and location.
The news was announced by Labour and Social Protection Minister Salim Muslimov on September 17.
The minister said the financial budget allocated to this project would be revealed after the project's approval.
Muslimov stressed the importance of NGOs in the
creation of social asylums in the country, adding a part of the
Azerbaijani Labour and Social Protection Ministry functions,
especially in the field of social services, is expected to be
transmitted to NGOs, the responsibilities of which will be
implemented under the direct control of the Ministry employees.
Muslimov went on to say that 3,003 employees are currently working
in the State Service of Social Protection under the Ministry, 1,800
of whom are not civil servants. The Ministry's employees are
responsible for taking care of orphans, the disabled and children
requiring special care.
The Minister speculates that these duties may be imposed to NGOs employees, who will implement their responsibilities under the Ministry's control.
"We are seriously considering the issue of amending the legislation and the structure of the Ministry," the Minister said.
Muslimov also stressed that the Ministry is working to
increase the number of labor inspectors.
Today, about 370 labor inspectors are working in Azerbaijan, which
is much less than in Europe.
"Most likely, relevant structures will review this issue. Now, due to the decrease in the number of the Ministry's social services employees, some measures are adopted to increase the number of labor inspectors, strengthen control over the labor markets, and empower labor inspectors to immediately control labor's health and safety in any facility," Muslimov emphasized.
Providing targeted social assistance in Azerbaijan should be extended from one year to two years, the Minister said. "The information in the database shows that approximately 90 percent of families receiving targeted social aid are the same families. There is no special need to annually require their documents. This can be done every two years. We have already presented our proposals. Perhaps some changes will be made in the legislation in this regard."
The Minister also added that the measures aimed at social assistance automation continue. "The Ministry's delegation will go to Turkey to learn from their local experience, as these processes are automated there."