The work done in the field of labor and social protection over the past year and this year's goals were discussed

A regular meeting of the Ministry’s Collegium has been held.

It was stated that this year the expenditures of the State Social Protection Fund (SSPF) are projected to reach AZN 8.5 billion—an increase of AZN 807 million compared to the previous year—while allocations from the state budget for social protection and social welfare are expected to amount to AZN 4.873 billion, exceeding last year’s figure by AZN 121.2 million. These indicators demonstrate that substantial increases in funding for the social protection sector are continuing into 2026.

The remarks were made during the collegium meeting at the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population. Minister of Labour and Social Protection Anar Aliyev подчеркнул that, in line with the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev, five social reform packages implemented over the past seven years have enabled significant increases in social payments. It was also noted that last year, within the framework of another social reform package, further increases were made to wages, pensions, benefits, and stipends. As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the social protection system, pensions covering approximately 1.1 million citizens are expected to be indexed and raised by around 9 percent in the near future.

The meeting also reviewed last year’s achievements in the field of social protection in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. It was reported that over the past year, more than 6,800 individuals—27 percent more than in the previous year—were covered by active labour market programmes, including around 950 people who were enrolled in the self-employment programme. It was announced that the Nakhchivan Regional DOST Centre will open in the near future, and that major renovation works are under way to establish DOST branches in the districts of Sharur, Babek, Julfa, Ordubad, Kangarli, and Sadarak, as well as design work for the Shahbuz DOST branch and the Nakhchivan DOST Inclusive Development and Creativity Centre. It was further noted that the Nakhchivan branch of the Labour Protection Centre began operations last year, that the “DOST Inspector” and “Rehabus” projects are also being implemented in the autonomous republic, and that over the past year more than 1,300 individuals received inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services at rehabilitation centres in Nakhchivan.

The meeting addressed activities carried out to ensure state supervision over compliance with labour legislation nationwide, as well as the transition to electronic labour contracts. Over the past year, delays in payments totalling AZN 842,300 owed to employees were identified, and following intervention these amounts were paid by employers. It was also reported that 89 employees whose labour contracts had been unlawfully terminated were reinstated in their previous positions.

It was noted that last year approximately 4,000 single elderly and persons with disabilities received mobile in-home social services, while more than 2,300 individuals were provided with residential care in social service institutions, and 1,620 beneficiaries were issued sanatorium and spa vouchers. The expansion of employment promotion programmes—an essential factor in social welfare—was emphasised. Over the past year, 567,000 individuals were engaged in active labour market measures, including 189,000 who were placed in jobs, and 16,800 people who established small family enterprises under the self-employment programme.

It was further reported that 887,000 people used the services of DOST centres last year, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 4.1 million, and that the nationwide expansion of the DOST network is continuing. During the past year, 54,500 individuals were newly assessed as having disabilities; 142,000 persons with disabilities received rehabilitation services, and 13,700 individuals were provided with 212,000 rehabilitation aids.

The meeting concluded with discussions on last year’s achievements in the aforementioned areas and the objectives set for the current year.