Media Review for May 18, 2020

The quarantine regime that may last in the country until the end of the year, the likelihood of a reduction in SOCAR employees, and illegal interference by local authorities in the work of educational institutions are the topics of today's media.

The official newspaper Azerbaijan writes about the next easing of the quarantine regime. It is likely that current restrictions will continue until a vaccine is created against the virus.

 At the same time, the previous easing of the regime increased the number of people infected in the camp areas, because people stopped observing sanitary and hygienic standards.

On May 15, it was decided to remove some restrictions, however, mass events - weddings, commemoration, etc. still prohibited.

The website Azpolitika.info also writes that the quarantine regime may last until the end of the year. Experts say that it will be impossible to find a vaccine in the coming year, and therefore quitting the quarantine regime will be gradual, and much depends on the social responsibility of citizens. At the next stage, some kind of decision can be made regarding mass sports.

The website Sfera.az writes that the number of SOCAR employees can be reduced. As of April 21, a barrel of Brent crude was worth $ 19.33, while at the beginning of the year the price was $ 68. Currently, futures prices for this brand are worth about $ 30.

According to experts, international agencies forecast a reduction in capital expenditures in the oil and gas sector by $ 335-350 billion this year. This means job cuts.

In all large oil companies, 3-5% of total expenses are wage funds, while in SOCAR this figure is five times higher. Therefore, for SOCAR, reducing the number of employees is a serious lever for reducing costs.

The website Modern.az writes about the interference of executive authorities in the work of schools. As a result of the arrests of the heads of several districts, it turned out that they interfered with the work of educators, threatened them and put pressure. More than 20 disputes are underway to remove educational institutions from subordination to the executive branch.