“Youths have always been the main leading part of the Azerbaijani people throughout history, played a leading role in the formation of our national identity, preservation of our national-spiritual values and traditions, and made a name for themselves with their perseverance, courage and heroism. Azerbaijan’s youth were also at the forefront of the freedom struggle against the invaders. Also, this respectable section of our people was sound-minded, national-spirited, patriotic, connected to their roots and loyal to their state. Heydar Aliyev, the founder of modern independent Azerbaijan, the National Leader of our people, while defining the development strategy of our country, gave special importance to the youth and highly valued their role in the progress of our homeland and the future development of our state. In general, when the Great Leader was leading Azerbaijan during the Soviet era or during independence, youth policy was a priority in his activities. He has done important work for young people to grow up in healthy conditions, get a good education, master modern sciences, and be promoted to government positions. He called modern Azerbaijan, which he created, a country of youth, and placed great hopes on the youth in the future development of Azerbaijan. Indeed, the youth of Azerbaijan fully justified the hopes they had for it. It is the result of this that today our country is living the brightest period in its history, taking the path of irreversible development and moving forward with confidence to tomorrow.”
Sattar Mohbaliyev, chairman of the Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation (AHIK), member of the Milli Majlis, expressed these views to the mass media.
According to him, today the youth of Azerbaijan live happily in a democratic country: “Our state has created all the necessary conditions for their comprehensive development, revealing and evaluating their potential, increasing their role in social and political life, and becoming the main leading force in society. Therefore, young people have an increased sense of confidence in their own strength and talent, and their successes in all fields, including sports, education and other fields, replace each other. The modern Azerbaijani youth, who are famous for their literacy, creativity, and business acumen, are also distinguished by their loyalty to the state and their deep love for the Motherland.
They proved once again in the Patriotic War that they love the Motherland more than their lives and consider it an honor to die on this way. Our young people really impressed the whole world community with their bravery and heroism. We are grateful to every young man who participated in the Patriotic War.
Sattar Mohbaliyev said that Azerbaijani trade unions actively support the youth policy defined by our state within their powers: “The union of the majority of young people in the trade union ranks further increases the responsibility of our organization in this direction. Thus, 38.5 percent of trade union members (under 29 years old) are young people. At different times, the ATUC (AHIK) “Activity and action plan of trade unions in the field of protection of the rights of children and young people and meeting their spiritual needs in Azerbaijan”, “Concept of youth policy”, “Implementation of youth policy of Azerbaijani trade unions”, “Main directions of activity of Azerbaijani trade unions on youth policy” and so on. adopted decisions and other documents and implemented them successfully. In general, we value the close participation of young people in the activities of trade unions and consider them as the main source of further development and strengthening of trade unions. Therefore, we attach special importance to helping young people to solve their socio-economic problems, to their activities in trade union structures, to involve them in organized events and actions, and to create the personnel reserve of the trade union at the expense of young people.”
The chairman of AHIK noted that almost the vast majority of field trade unions have a youth council and regular work is done with young people: “The councils are active in the development of strategies, collective contracts and agreements that meet the needs of young people, and in holding competitions and reviews on professional skills.In order to strengthen the motivation of young people to join trade unions, about 500 young people who achieved achievements in work, education and social activities were awarded the honorary title of “Young Professional of the Year”. ATUC (AHIK) pays special attention to their participation in educational programs organized by the International Labor Organization, the International Trade Union Confederation, the Confederation of General Trade Unions and other organizations.
“The outstanding students of the Military Lyceum named after Jamshid Nakhchivanski are given monetary awards by trade unions every year. Also, according to the results of the winter and summer sessions in higher educational institutions, students who have been successful in education and distinguished themselves in public affairs are awarded “Named scholarship”. So far, about 3,000 young people have been awarded this scholarship. In some universities, up to 300 students from low-income families pay lunch costs, 30% of the tuition fees of dozens of underprivileged students, and 100% of some are paid by the union each year. Every year, steps are taken in the direction of promoting a healthy lifestyle among students and young people, instilling interest in science in them, and raising their intellectual level,” added the deputy of the Milli Majlis.