The Confederation of Trade Unions, the largest public organization of Azerbaijan, welcomes its 30th anniversary with important successes and strong trust of the society.
Entering 2023 with the results of rapid economic development and high social welfare, and most importantly, with the pride of a great victory, the people of Azerbaijan will celebrate many significant anniversaries this year. The 100th anniversary of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, who is regarded as the greatest Azerbaijani in the world, the 20th anniversary of the presidency of Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the most powerful founder of Azerbaijan in history, as well as the 30th anniversary of the establishment mission are glorious historical moments that our appreciative people will welcome with great joy and gratitude.
From “Mazut constitution” to country-wide organization
There are other important days in this year of jubilees which are also celebrated by different sections of the society. We also believe that the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Azerbaijan Trade Union Confederation is an honorable date that most of our people will welcome as a special day.
ATUC, which unites up to 1.5 million members in its ranks, is today the largest public institution that takes a leading position in the country’s life and is distinguished by its activity. In fact, trade unions began to emerge in Azerbaijan at the beginning of the 20th century. In the world, the beginning of this history belongs to the 18th century. Trade unions were first formed in Great Britain by workers to protect their professional interests and defend their social status. Then, in the 19th century, trade unions and national trade union centers began to emerge in the fields of production. Although the trade unions in Azerbaijan exist in different social formations that are opposite to each other and stand at opposite poles, they have passed a great historical development path by sticking to their main idea during their activity.
Looking at history, let me emphasize that as a result of the general crisis at the beginning of the 20th century, a wave of strikes swept over Azerbaijan, whose industrial potential is flourishing day by day. The general strike that began in Baku in 1903 demanded an increase in wages, the shortening of the working day to 8 hours, the release of imprisoned workers, and the granting of freedom of strike, press and assembly. On December 30, 1904, the first collective agreement – “Mazut constitution” was signed between oil industrialists and workers at the “Elektrosila” plant. After that, mining commissions consisting of workers were created in all mines.
On October 17, 1905, the conca (horse railway) workers founded a trade union organization. In November, the printing workers united in a second union. By the end of the year, trade union organizations of engineers and technicians, doctors, teachers, lawyers and other professionals were already operating. According to the report at the end of 1906, there were 120 trade union organizations in Baku. The number of members of these organizations exceeded 12 thousand 200 people. 75 percent of trade unions in the Caucasus were concentrated in the capital of Azerbaijan. On March 4, 1906, with the adoption of a special law on trade unions – “Temporary rule on trade unions established for individuals or owners of trade and industrial enterprises”, trade unions were given the opportunity to operate legally. In 1917, trade union organizations of workers in similar production areas began to unite. There were already 80,000 members in the ranks of 40 trade unions in Baku. During the period of the People’s Republic, issues related to the improvement of the life and livelihood of the workers were successfully resolved. Javad Bey Malik-Yeganov, a member of the National Council of Azerbaijan, was the organizer of the Turkish Workers’ Conference and served as the chairman of the Central Trade Union.
The position and activity of trade unions was also important during the years of Soviet rule. It is true that the administrative-emirate system limited the activity of this organization, it lost the ability to independently perform its duties to protect the interests of its members, and it became the executor of the party’s tasks. Despite this, he did important work in improving working, living and leisure conditions of workers, protecting their rights and interests, and managing their industrial and public affairs. Starting from 1946, the organization in the trade union system gained a lot of momentum, republican committees were formed by fields. On November 27-29, 1948, the First republican inter-union conference was held in Baku.
The glorious mark of Heydar Aliyev in the history of trade unions
The beginning of the true activity of the trade unions in Azerbaijan is connected with the name of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev. Our national leader always supported trade unions, supported them and gave wise advice. During his leadership, trade unions began to return to the basic principles from which they had strayed. One important aspect was that the ranks were expanding. If in 1970 there were 871 thousand members in trade unions, in 1980 this number reached 2 million 270 thousand people.
With the recommendations of the Great Leader, special attention was paid to improving the living conditions of workers, increasing and protecting their rights, organizing their rest and taking measures to protect their health. New recreation centers and sanatoriums, children’s camps were created. In those years, Heydar Aliyev participated in all congresses of the trade union, gave a wide speech and highly appreciated his activity. Trade unions were already active in all enterprises, regardless of their designation. This reliably protected people’s labor rights, ensured their union and socialization, and created conditions for joint struggle.
After the independence of Azerbaijan, there was a change in the activities of trade union organizations, democratic principles began to be applied. In 1992, The Trade Union of workers of Motor Transport and Road economy, which was headed by me at that time, as well as 5 other organizations – Trade Unions of workers of power plants and Electrical Engineering, Communications, Entrepreneurship, Aviation and construction complexes, declared our disagreement with the activities of this organization and raised the initiative to convene an extraordinary congress. The activities of the six unions have yielded successful results, and we managed to hold an extraordinary congress. At the Constituent Congress held on February 5, 1993, the Council of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan dissolved itself and transferred its powers to the Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan of the Confederate type.
With the establishment of this organization, the administrative-administrative methods of trade unions were put to an end, and the powers of field trade unions were returned to themselves. Our goal was not to disintegrate the trade union union and to carry out the necessary reforms. It became necessary to hold negotiations at the national level in order to prevent unemployment, poverty and the lowering of the population’s standard of living, to fight for the protection of labor rights, and to inspire people’s confidence in reforms. Trade unions, which unite many members in their ranks, were chosen as social partners. The confederation has delegated about 70 percent of its powers as a central apparatus to field unions. All this gave impetus to the development of social dialogue in the society.
In the early years of independence, the crisis that covered all fields had a negative impact on the activities of public organizations. The suspension of production enterprises, plants, factories, the increase in unemployment, as well as the tension prevailing in the country’s socio-political life, reduced the scale and quality of the activities of trade unions, which are the largest and mass organizations, and weakened their social base. Indifference to this institution on the part of the country’s leadership aggravated the situation even more. They even tried to take away the administrative building, which was considered the property of the trade unions. The determination of the trade unions and the preventive steps they took did not allow them to realize these wishes.
During the first Karabakh war, AHIK sent food and warm clothes to our soldiers fighting at the front. He also did all he could to welcome and accommodate internally displaced persons. During those difficult times, AHIK organized the placement of internally displaced persons in sanatoriums and recreation centers, and we provided them with all kinds of material and moral support. In 1993, when Great Leader Heydar Aliyev returned to the leadership of the country based on the demand of the people, radical changes took place in the life of trade unions, as in all fields. Illegal orders and instructions of the previous government, including the decisions regarding the transfer of health and treatment centers to the balance of the Ministry of Health, were canceled and the expansion of resort-tourism facilities owned by trade unions, reconstruction of sports facilities, administrative buildings was started. The destruction of the material and technical base of this institution, formed over many years, was prevented.
In the difficult and difficult situation of the country – on July 17, 1993, the Executive Committee of AHIK appealed to the trade union members and workers. In the appeal, concern was expressed about problems such as unemployment, inflation, scarcity, and the fact that the minimum wage is many times lower than the minimum consumption budget. It was reported that trade unions are working with all their strength to gradually solve all the problems of socially low-income people – refugees, families with many children, families of martyrs. It was also regretted that the conflict and division in the society hinders the work of trade unions.
Thus, trade unions, as a public organization, support the saving mission of the Great Leader and actively fight within their functions and powers for the improvement of the social, economic and cultural life, well-being and protection of the rights of workers, as well as the integrity of the country, the elimination of the socio-political, socio-economic crisis. joined. Taking into account the opinion of its members and acting on their interests, ATUC unequivocally supported Heydar Aliyev’s candidacy for the presidency of the country in October 1993.
At the center of all the political activities of the Great Leader were the interests of the state of Azerbaijan, the improvement of the socio-economic status of the people, the establishment of democratic principles in the country, and the development of civil society. The state always took care of trade unions, supported their activities in the direction of protecting the rights of workers, ensuring their interests, and improving their social situation. Only one year after the election of the President – in 1994, on the personal initiative of the Great Leader, the law “On Trade Unions” was adopted for the first time in the former post-Soviet space in Azerbaijan.
A legal basis was created for the regulation of the institution’s activity in society based on new principles and active participation in the protection of the socio-economic interests of our citizens. With this, the activities of the organization expanded, its reputation increased, the number of members began to increase, and free and independent opportunities opened up for it as a public organization. The rights of trade unions were recognized in the preparation of legislative acts on labor, social and economic issues, Azerbaijani trade unions became a part of the international trade union movement. With the new law, workers, pensioners, and students were given the right to voluntarily form trade unions, join trade unions and engage in trade union activities. The law ensured the institution’s full independence, prohibited any interference by state authorities and officials that limited the rights of trade unions, hindered their legal activities, and granted equal rights to all trade unions.
The support of President Ilham Aliyev created a new stage of development in our activities
Mr. Ilham Aliyev, who duly continued the political course of the Great Leader, as the creator of the most powerful Azerbaijan in history, also ensured the rise of the people’s socio-economic well-being, achieved important successes in all fields. The citizen of Azerbaijan is at the center of Mr. Ilham Aliyev’s policy, and the interests of our state and people are reflected in all the decisions he makes. As the Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan, we are very proud and proud to have nominated and unequivocally supported the candidacy of Mr. Ilham Aliyev in the presidential elections held in 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018. Mr. Ilham Aliyev supported the activities of trade unions from the first days of his activity, showed high state concern, and this patronage gave impetus to the creation of a new stage in the activity of trade unions. The Honorable President is always interested in the activities of ATUC, sends congratulatory letters to its congresses, gives valuable recommendations, and awards trade union figures and activists with state awards. It also highly appreciates the role of trade unions in the field of protecting people’s economic and social interests and labor rights.
Mr. Ilham Aliyev in his congratulations to the anniversaries and congresses of the ATUC, in his meetings with the heads of international trade unions repeatedly noted that trade unions are a powerful force and their important role in protecting the labor rights of workers in Azerbaijan, solving social problems, observing the principles of social justice, regulating relations between employers and employees, especially in, he stressed that the social-oriented measures carried out in connection with the creation of jobs are of great importance.
Today, ATUC unites up to 1.5 million members in its ranks. The organization includes 27 trade union centers, including 501 city and district trade union organizations, 60 joint trade union committees, and 14,202 first trade union organizations. The confederation consists of 3 Federations and the Council of Trade Unions of the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan Academy of Labor and Social Relations, “Kurort” Closed Joint Stock Company, Republican Council of Tourism and Excursions, Public Union of Azerbaijan Trade Unions Sports Organizations, Republican Union of Inter-Collective Health. “Ulfat” newspaper, our press organ, has been published since 1991. The website of ATUC operates in 3 languages (Azerbaijani, English and Russian) and is updated periodically.
The membership of ATUC to international organizations, including the International Labor Organization, the International Confederation of Trade Unions, inter-trade union organizations, and the membership of field trade unions to global trade unions has substantially expanded the opportunities for foreign cooperation. The Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan, which cooperates with more than 70 trade union centers, has signed agreements on cooperation with the Union of Georgian Trade Unions, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Albania, Sverdlovsk, Astrakhan Region, Republic of Tatarstan and other Trade Union Federations.
Taking into account the role played by Azerbaijani trade unions in the international trade union movement, as the head of ATUC, I was elected the vice-president of the International Trade Union Confederation and the All Trade Union Confederation and the Pan-European Regional Council. Representatives of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan and field trade unions participate in the annual sessions of the International Labor Organization together with representatives of the government of Azerbaijan, and we express our principled position on the discussed issues.
Complaint letters received by ATUC are analyzed from time to time, specific measures are taken to eliminate the problems that arise as soon as possible. From the first years of our activity until today, about 3 million applications and complaints have been considered, and the violated rights of about 100,000 workers have been restored. At the request of the trade union, as a result of the attestation carried out in 19824 workplaces in the last 10 years, 708 technological equipment, machines and mechanisms were adapted to the standards, 12022 workers were removed from unfavorable working conditions, and the risk factor was eliminated for every twelfth worker in the inspected enterprises.
Since 2009, we annually hold competitions for the title of” the best enterprise (organization) of the year in creating healthy and safe working conditions”. So far, 20,500 enterprises and organizations have participated in this event, of which 530 have been awarded this high title and awarded with certificates of honor and valuable gifts. ATUC paid special attention to the greater representation of women in the structures of trade unions and strengthening their role. According to the “Gender policy concept”of ATUC, recommendations were prepared on “applying gender approach in collective agreements” and “balancing the representation of men and women in the management of trade union organizations”, and a “Center for Gender equality and women’s problems” was established at ATUC. 52% of the members of the trade union are women.
Azerbaijan trade unions, the largest public organization in our country, actively support youth policy. I would like to note that 38.5 percent of the trade union members (under 29) are young people. At present, the Youth Council operates in the vast majority of trade unions and works with young people regularly. 434 young people who achieved achievements in labor, education and social activities were awarded the honorary title of “professional youth of the year”. ATUC provides their participation in the educational programs organized by the International Labour Organization, ITUC,GTUC and other organizations in relation to young people. Also, according to the results of winter and Summer Sessions in higher educational institutions, students who have achieved success in education and distinguished themselves in social work are awarded a “named scholarship”. So far, about 3,000 young people have been awarded this scholarship. In some universities, lunch costs of up to 300 students from low-income families, 30 percent of tuition fees for dozens of disadvantaged students and 100 percent of tuition fees are paid by the trade union every year.
Constantly next to citizens
Every year, thousands of members of trade unions are provided with visits to Health places with their families, all conditions are created for their normal rest. Currently, ATUC operates 8 sanatoriums and one medical boarding house. These health facilities have been renovated with the financial capabilities of ATUC and brought to the level of modern requirements. 6 of the sanatoriums work year-round, and 2-seasonal. At the same time, significant measures are being taken to strengthen the social protection of vulnerable population groups. Holiday gifts are sent to low-income families living in the capital and 76 districts of the Republic, including families of martyrs and veterans, on historical and festive days by the decisions of the ATUC Executive Committee. From April 2020 to the end of 2022, about 27,000 families of this kind were sent holiday gifts with caravans.
ATUC and its member organizations spent more than 10 million Manats during the Patriotic War and beyond, and 202 children of 347 martyrs were taken into custody. In 2022, 1,790 departures were given to the families of martyrs and veterans by Field trade unions.
ATUC, which immediately joined the call of President Ilham Aliyev to assist in the elimination of coronavirus infection, mobilized all its capabilities in this direction. We took an active part in various events held in the country in order to eradicate the COVID-19 infection that has swept the world. In total, more than 20 million Manats were spent on the support fund for the fight against coronavirus, the “Regional Development” Public Union of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the fight against coronavirus in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the purchase of protective equipment, as well as providing food and material assistance to low-income families.
The social support programs implemented under the special patronage of First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva are met with great approval in the society, reduce people’s worries and increase their well-being. As the Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan, we value this selfless activity of honorable Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva as the greatest contribution to the policy implemented by President Ilham Aliyev. It is no coincidence that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s assistance in solving the social problems of hundreds of thousands of our citizens has strengthened the nationwide trust and love for the honorable Mrs. Mehriban. We believe that this honorable mission of Mehriban Aliyeva, who worked independently in the establishment of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, is successfully realized.
The fact that the Confederation of Trade Unions, the largest public organization of Azerbaijan, welcomes its anniversary with important successes and the strong trust of the society is our greatest reward. Our 1.5 million members faithfully serve the state and the people in various fields of society and create worthy examples. We congratulate our dear members on the occasion of our anniversary and wish them success in their activities. The Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan is reorganizing and celebrating the 30th anniversary of its establishment with great pride and joy. During this period, we always showed unwavering loyalty to the legacy of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev and unequivocal support for the activities of President Ilham Aliyev. We have never deviated from this belief and position, and we will remain steadfastly loyal to it forever.
“Azerbaijan” newspaper. 07.02.2023
Sattar MOHBALIYEV,
Chairman of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan,
Member of Parliament