Human rights activist condemns oil companies of violating labor agreements

Press conference  of  the  Committee to Protect Oil Workers Rights  held  on Tuesday in the Media Center was on the violation of labor agreements by  local and foreign oil companies.

According to the Chairman of the Committee Mirvari Gahramanli,  monitoring  of the rights of workers on the three articles of the labor legislation. was held.

The talk is about  63 Articles of the Labor Code relating to the change of ownership. Often, when a change of ownership, the latter dismisses older workers, while the Labor Code does not provide for such action. lawsuits on such facts are ongoing, said Gahramanli. According to her,  there were  61  trials on such  issue; investigation on 31 facts was over.  Fact 15 of the 31 lawsuits  were won  by  the dismissed, but court decisions have not yet been executed.  Trials on 30 facts are ongoing. Complaint against the three judges were made to the judicial council, said human rights activist. However, the mass dismissal of employees under various pretexts continue.

As for the 21st article of the Labor Code, it provides  the equality of labor rights of employees. However, the requirements of this article are not met. In particular, discrimination occurs in respect of those employees who are not members of the ruling party. Forcing people to  join the party "Yeni Azerbaijan"  in SOCAR continues. When it comes to firing, mainly members of opposition and  on-prty are fired.  There is a discrimination on the salaries of the staff  members of the workers. Employees of the staff  get up to 1,500 manat, while the salary of workers does not exceed 700 manat. In addition, workers are not paid for after-hours. Those who protest, are  pointed to the door. SOCAR for many years deducts  2%  of salary   for the Defense Fund.

As for foreign companies, there is a  difference in salary not only between Azerbaijanis and foreigners, but also between the local staff. In addition, some foreign companies do not allow to establishment of trade unions. The participants of the press conference expressed dissatisfaction with the state labor inspection, which does not follow the requirements of the legislation.

Mirvari Gahramanli also reported that in 2012, that 13 people died in  the oil industry, and 59 were  injured.  Gahramanli blamed  SOCAR for covering up the facts, in order  not to pay compensation to the victims.

The participants harshly  criticized the  support of  Ilham Aliyev's candidacy for president at the Congress of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan.  Trade Unions must be politically impartial, said Gahramanli. -05C04-