Azerbaijan joins Equal Pay International Coalition

BAKU (ILO News) - Azerbaijan has officially joined the Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC) with the technical support of the International Labour Organization (ILO), reaffirming its commitment to closing the gender pay gap and promoting equal pay for work of equal value. Led by the ILO, UN Women and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), EPIC unites governments, employers, workers and other partners to achieve equal pay for women and men for work of equal value. With 73 member organizations from various countries, the Coalition offers coordinated expert assistance to governments, employers and trade unions to promote further progress in closing the gender pay gap, while also facilitating the exchange of best practices.

Azerbaijan has adopted equal pay legislation and ratified the ILO Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100). This Convention obliges ratifying states to ensure the application of the principle of equal remuneration for male and female workers for work of equal value through national laws, policies, wage-setting mechanisms, social dialogue mechanisms and practices.

By joining the Coalition, Azerbaijan is strengthening its alignment with international labour standards and global efforts towards gender equality in the world of work. The country's membership also represents a significant step towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals 8 and 5, which focus on decent work and economic growth, and gender equality respectively. This cooperation is expected to support national reforms on pay transparency, strengthen the enforcement of equal pay legislation and contribute to social dialogue in Azerbaijan.