Media Review - August 3, 2019

Increased social welfare, the causes of "brain drain" from the country, the state of cinema in Azerbaijan, and other issues in the focus of today's media.

The "Azerbaijan" newspaper publishes an article on the policy of social justice pursued by authorities of the country. The author claims that in the center of social policy of President Ilham Aliyev is a person. In the first half of the year, the head of state carried a large package of social reforms. Since 2003, the average monthly salary has grown by 7.5 times, pensions have increased by more than 10 times, social benefits and scholarships have been raised many times, poverty has been reduced to 5%. The minimum wage increased by 27, 7 times, and reached 250 manat; average salary increased by 7.5 times, and today is 581.2 manat. In the first quarter of this year, 1.9 billion manat were allocated to enhancing social protection of the population, which improved the financial situation of 3 million people. The second social package covers 1 million 350 thousand people, including 1 million in public sector and 350 thousand in the private sector. It is planned to allocate 2 billion manat to these measures.

The site "Yeni Sabah.az" writes about the "brain drain" from the country. Educational expert Kamran Asadov notes that every year hundreds of students and qualified personnel leave the country. Many students do not want to return. Developed countries create banks of qualified personnel from a number of foreigners, and if necessary, they got a job. In Azerbaijan, competent personnel often remain unclaimed, and therefore leave the country. Moreover, in neighboring Turkey and even Georgia, they can receive a higher salary. The outflow of prospective personnel in the future can create serious problems for Azerbaijan, in the sphere of economy, services, and non-oil sector. Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Youth, Ministry of Education should create joint commission and create own bank of qualified personnel. Commissions must conduct interviews with applicants and push them up the career ladder.

The site Modern.az writes about the use of financial assistance to the cinema in the amount of 5 million manat allocated by the head of state for cinema. They believe that the money must be distributed in the right way, and professionals should be engaged in cinema. The article criticizes the Union of Cinematographers, which "gives awards to people who come from the side, and not to those who devoted life to the cinema art. " -0-