Azernews.Az

By Leman Mammadova

Issues of the application, enforcement and revision of the Global Compact for Migration, including the effective protection of the rights of migrant workers and their families, have been discussed in Baku.

The capital hosted a meeting of the UN Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families entitled "Ways of solving main problems of migrant workers amid global crises in the changing world” on September 13.

As many as 6,800 foreigners can be involved in labor activities in Azerbaijan this year in accordance with the quota set by the Cabinet of Ministers, said Vusal Huseynov, head of the State Migration Service.

He noted that applications to obtain a work permit have already been accepted by more than half of the quota.

“We try to ensure that the quota does not create tension for the business entity,” Huseynov added.

He pointed out that the persons who have a permanent residence permit or who are married to Azerbaijani citizens are exempted from the need to obtain a work permit. However, they are also considered foreign labor migrants.

Speaking of the cancellation of the visa regime for Turkish citizens since September 1, Huseynov noted that this means a simplification of the migration process.

“Now Turish citizens do not waste time on getting visas at Azerbaijani airports, bureaucratic obstacles are eliminated, and Turkish citizens freely cross all border checkpoints of Azerbaijan,” he said.

In turn, Sahil Babayev, Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Population, said that the favorable environment provided for entrepreneurship in recent years, the expansion of democratic institutions, the development of the country's economy and the increase in the living standards of the population are among the main reasons for the increase in the number of migrants arriving in Azerbaijan.

He noted that 7,000 foreign citizens worked in Azerbaijan on labor permits in 2018, which is four times more than in 2003. “Currently, 9,962 labor contracts are registered in the Employment Contract Notification System of the ministry.”

Babayev stressed that the rights of labor migrants and their family members are an integral part of human rights.

“The protection of the rights of labor migrants has always been of great importance in the country. The national legislation regarding migrant workers prohibits any discrimination, and the rights of migrant workers in Azerbaijan are recognized at the same level as of the citizens of the country,” he noted.

In turn, Can Unver, Acting Chairman of the UN Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, said that Azerbaijani government has achieved great success in the field of migration.

He also noted that Azerbaijan’s legislation in the field of migration is commendable.