“Trade Unions amid Deepening Economic Crisis”: International Seminar in Baku

The purpose of the three-day event was to discuss the activities of the Azerbaijan trade unions and the ways to efficiently represent workers’ rights and interests.

The meeting was opened by the first vice chairman of ATUC Ilyas Aliyev. He noted that the global crisis has affected all areas of activities in the world, including the activities of trade unions.

“How should the trade unions work in the present context? What do we need to get stronger trade unions? These were the main questions for our discussion”, said Ilyas Aliyev. “The main instruments in our work are dialogue and consultations. That's why we have invited to the seminar the most experienced members of the sectoral trade union organizations who are well aware of the problems trade unions are facing today. I am sure that sharing of knowledge and experience will help us develop viable solutions.”

Sergeyus Glovackas, ILO Senior Specialist in Workers’ Activities, spoke about the work of the ILO Country Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia. He said that in the times of economic crisis it is particularly important to strengthen relations between trade unions. He also stressed the importance of developing and signing by the social partners and the ILO a Decent Work Country Programme for Azerbaijan.

Vsevolod Barbanaeaqra, ILO expert, noted that the rights of workers must be protected regardless of the current economic situation.

Further discussions were held in groups around the themes of modern trade unions, their future work and social partnership issues. The participants exchanged views about strengths and weaknesses of trade unions, and formulated their proposals for future work. Among follow-up actions they mentioned performance evaluation and raising the effectiveness of trade union activities.