Press Review 08/17/2016

Stability of Social Security, the State Statistics Committee of the rise in prices, the situation of the banking system, and lack of insurance against accidents at the majority of workers are the leading topics of today's press.

The official newspaper Azerbaijan published an article entitled: "Social protection is the focus of the government." The author believes that this area is a priority because it is a barometer of the level of development and the guarantor of social stability. In most countries, social protection is a determining factor in the welfare of the population.

 After the second devaluation in Azerbaijan pension and benefit levels were increased. In addition, the country abides by the international standards of the pension-insurance system, the author writes. He also recalls the improvement of the pension system in 2014-2020.

According to statistics, in January-March of the current year the financing of pensions and grants was directed 749.7 million manats, which is 36 million AZN more than last year.

In 2016, the salary, compared to 2015, increased by 21.3%.

 Azadlig published an article criticizing the official statistical data on the development in Azerbaijan. The newspaper believes that these data are biased and this is proved by the economic crisis in the country and the low standard of living.

While prices rose by 40-50% after the devaluation, the State Statistics Committee shows growth of 17%.

Moreover, prices continued to rise even after the public claims by Ilham Aliyev to prevent price increases.

Echo reports that about 3.5 million workers have no insurance against accidents at work and occupational diseases. According to the Code of Administrative Offences, a legal entity that has not insured its employees shall be fined at 5,000 manats.

In 2015, only 1,067,600 people were insured from accidents at work and occupational diseases. However, according to official statistics, there are 4 million 556 workers in Azerbaijan. "Thus, in fact 3,488,400 people were not brought to the compulsory insurance scheme in 2015. Last year, the sums insured for accidents at work amounted to 2,429,300 manat. According to official statistics, 161 industrial accidents were registered in 2015. Of these, 111 people received injuries of varying degrees, and 50 others died. The indicators for occupational diseases were not announced by the Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan for 2015, as for the previous years.