Work on Alat-Astara Road is Ongoing, Despite the Temperature of 42 Degrees

Despite the heat in the low-lying areas of the country where air temperature reached 42 degrees today, work on the construction of highway Alat-Astara is ongoing. The Italian company ‘Todini’ carries out the work.

The head of the NGO "Democracy Promotion", Emil Mamedov, in Saliayn region, regarded this as a violation of the Labor Code, which prohibits the operation outside when temperatures are at 40 degrees and above.

 He also said the workday is 11 hours, and on day off every two weeks. Under such a working regime workers, receive a monthly allowance of 400-500 manat, without overtime.

Assistant project manager Yunis Akhroyev was asked to comment on the matter, Akhroyev said, "everything happens with the consent of the workers."

The Territorial Labor Inspectorate management refused to give comments, citing the issues are within the competence of the main control inspection.

The workers involved in the construction of the Alat-Astara road have protested more than once against the violation of their rights.

Several months ago, the head office of Salyan Brakoletti Todini, who insulted local workers, was fired. However, the situation with the rights of workers has changed little, and discrimination of local staff continues.

 For the same work, an Azerbaijani bulldozer operator is paid 1000-1100 manat, while foreign counterparts receive 2000 manat.

World Bank funds the 112 km. section of the Alat-Astara road, (from the road junction 70 km. to the south of Baku to the Iranian border). Construction of the Alat-Astara road began in February 2011, and due to be completed in 2013.