BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 16. Work has already
begun on a new general collective agreement covering the period
from 2026 through 2028 in Azerbaijan, Deputy Prime Minister Shahin
Mustafayev said at the 8th Congress of the Azerbaijan Trade Union
Confederation (ATUC) held in Baku today, Trend reports.


According to him, the human factor is at the center of reforms
in Azerbaijan.


''The human factor remains central to the reforms undertaken in
Azerbaijan, constituting the strategic cornerstone of activities
pursued by both state institutions and trade unions. In this
context, the effective functioning of trade unions represents a
crucial role as a reliable partner of the government, with their
activities guided by these human-centric principles.


The Cabinet of Ministers maintains close collaboration with the
Azerbaijan Trade Union Confederation (ATUC) in the domains of
social policy support, labor relations regulation, and the
enforcement of workplace safety and social justice. Enhancing labor
legislation constitutes a principal focus of this cooperative
framework.


Improvements in the working environment are the tangible
outcomes of social partnership underpinned by collective
agreements. The achievements realized in establishing and enhancing
workplace conditions in Azerbaijan exemplify the effectiveness of
social partnership grounded in the general collective
agreement.


The newly adopted general collective agreement not only
safeguards traditional labor rights but also addresses
environmental considerations in alignment with the demands of a
globalized economy. It further incorporates critical issues,
including the principles of a just transition and the potential
impacts of artificial intelligence on the workplace.


Strengthening the principles of social partnership and
cooperative engagement was identified as a key objective in the
formulation of the new collective agreement, reinforcing the
institutional commitment to sustainable and equitable labor
practices,'' he added.


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