We regret to say that some news sites have published articles that cast a shadow over the activities of Azerbaijani trade unions, do not reflect the truth and are not based on facts. We state that such information about Azerbaijani trade unions is completely untrue and defamatory.
The Azerbaijan Trade Union Confederation (ATUC) and its member organizations have been distinguished for their special activity as a public organization both during the pandemic and during and after the Great Patriotic War. He is closely involved in the implementation of all social projects initiated by the state, as well as personally initiated by President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva.
We note that, in general, the implementation of social projects in our country is always in the focus of the state, including President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva. Gifts and aid are distributed to the families of martyrs, veterans and other vulnerable citizens on all holidays and significant days. The ATUC, which supports such humanitarian missions, has spent a total of 18,235,064 manat in connection with the pandemic and the war since 2020 on the basis of relevant decisions.
During the 44-day war, ATUC and its member organizations donated AZN 1,025,410 to the Armed Forces Assistance Fund, AZN 586,510 to the YASHAT Foundation, AZN 600,000 to the Karabakh Revival Fund, and those living near the Armed Forces and the frontline. AZN 1,494,178 was transferred to the affected residents, and AZN 150,000 was transferred to the trade unions of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
A total of 1,116,400 manat was provided to the families of martyrs and veterans, who are always in the spotlight of the ATUC. 6,277 martyrs’ families and veterans received one-time assistance. 136 families of martyrs are under the protection of ATUC, 64 children of martyrs receive financial assistance in the amount of 150 manat per month, and this will continue until their 18th birthday.
The ATUC, which was especially active during the pandemic, provided AZN 9,925,985 to 98,115 low-income families and AZN 6,500,762 to 92,936 people. In addition, AZN 680,670 was transferred to the Coronavirus Support Fund and AZN 705,000 to the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s Regional Development Public Union. To protect against infection, 1,266,881 items of protective equipment worth 1,450,149 manat were purchased and distributed among employees.
In addition, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan allocated 200,000 manat in accordance with the Memorandum of Cooperation to assist in the organization of self-employment of vulnerable groups. Thus, during this period, about 200,000 citizens were provided with financial assistance in one form or another. Such social measures will be continued.
In addition, there are hundreds of individual requests for assistance and referrals to the ATUC and its member organizations, and these requests are resolved in accordance with the rules.
It should be noted that in order to restore the health of workers, trade unions provide their members with sanatorium-resort vouchers. It should be noted that these referrals are given to union members not by the ATUC, but by trade union committees operating in the workplace. A trade union member pays only 15% of the cost of a sanatorium-resort ticket. One out of every 10 referrals given to union members by the first union is free. In this case, ie the issuance of referrals, the ATUC’s activity is only to ensure the quarterly distribution of referrals among the sectoral trade unions. Accusing the ATUC of selling tickets stems from ignorance of the rules.
As for the membership fee paid for trade unions, we note that the ATUC and its chairman have repeatedly made statements to journalists and published in the media about the payment of membership fees and the direction in which they are spent. We reiterate that expenditures are monitored by trade union control and inspection commissions. At the same time, reports on where the funds are spent are given at meetings, conferences and congresses.
It should be noted that ATUC Chairman Sattar Mohbaliyev has been working in trade unions since the 1980s, and has always distinguished himself in this field with his reputation and respect. In 1993, he was elected chairman of the ATUC. Those whose role in the election of S. Mohbaliyev as chairman and other positions were not in office at that time, let alone help someone to be elected chairman. Also, because it is a public organization, the leadership of trade unions is formed on the basis of elections, no outside influence is possible.
We hope that in the future, when writing an article on the activities of trade unions in Azerbaijan, the topic will be studied in depth. This is an important condition for providing the public with accurate and impartial information and for journalism to adhere to the principles of impartiality and professionalism.