Press Review - 12/05/18

Strengthening the social protection of the population, the situation in milk production, and the role of "protectionism" in society are the leading topics of today's media.

The newspaper Azerbaijan in an article under the bold title Jobs Increase, Incomes Increase, Purchasing Power Increases tells about the strengthening of social protection of the population and about raising social benefits, pensions and salaries.

The author notes that over the past 15 years, the salaries of state employees have grown 7 times, pensions have grown 10 times, poverty has decreased from 50% to 5.4%, and unemployment rate is at 5%. For 15 years the population of the country has increased by 1.5 million people and the same number of jobs has been opened.

The publication of Marja.az addresses the problems of milk production in the country. Farmers complain about the high cost of milk at low purchase prices. One of the farmers writes that he produces 1 ton of milk daily and is forced to sell a liter for only 40-45 gapik, which barely covers the expenses. Farmers believe that it is necessary to take measures to reduce the cost of milk and the price of feed.

The head of the Public Association of Producers and Exporters of Milk and Dairy Products Samir Eyyubov suggests introducing subsidies to farmers from the state. It is also necessary to help farmers to create cooperatives and to jointly form a fodder base.

The newspaper Echo in the article Nepotism in Azerbaijan: Soviet Times and Today raises the problem of protectionism in Azerbaijan and compares this phenomenon with the times of the USSR. Laws were severe in those years.

Years have passed. Already, there are no those humiliating queues for goods "in shortage" and the ugly pervasive need to seek acquaintance on any occasion. However, personal connections and relations still play an important role now. According to public opinion polls, nepotism is still common in state departments and state-budget organizations. In business structures, this also takes place, especially in small and medium businesses.