Baku advances labour export agenda in meetings with Turkish, Lithuanian ministers PHOTO

Azerbaijan has discussed the export of labour and expanded international cooperation on social policy during a series of high-level meetings held on the sidelines of the 114th session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva.

A delegation led by the Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Population of Azerbaijan, Anar Aliyev, also informed the Director-General of the International Labour Organisation, Gilbert F. Houngbo of the country’s accession to additional ILO instruments.

The ministry said Azerbaijan had ratified Convention No. 187 on the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health earlier this year and has now acceded to a total of 60 ILO conventions, with further ratifications under consideration.

During talks, the Azerbaijani delegation reviewed avenues for deepening cooperation with the ILO, including expanding engagement into new areas of labour and social policy.

On the sidelines of the conference, Anar Aliyev met Türkiye’s Minister of Labour and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan. The two sides exchanged views on bilateral cooperation and the potential export of Azerbaijani labour in line with labour market needs.

Aliyev also held discussions with Lithuania’s Minister of Social Security and Labour Jūratė Zailskienė, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties in the social sphere and exploring opportunities for Azerbaijani workers in the Lithuanian labour market.

Further meetings were held with ILO Assistant Director-General Beate Andres and Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia Peter van Rooij, where both sides discussed expanding Azerbaijan’s cooperation with the organisation across emerging policy areas.

By Aghakazim Guliyev