AZERBAIJANI MINISTER OF LABOR MEETS NEW HEAD OF ILO SUBREGIONAL OFFICE

Baku, April 15 (AzerTAc). Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Population Fuzuli Alakbarov has met today with Martina Lyubova, new head of the International Labor Organization`s Subregional Office in Moscow.
Fuzuli Alakbarov said Azerbaijan places a special emphasis on cooperation with the ILO. According to him, Azerbaijan respects all ILO conventions and recommendations. Alakbarov noted thanks to successful domestic and foreign policy of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan achieved progress in socio-economic development. Despite the ongoing economic crisis, Azerbaijan maintained its leading positions in terms of economic development rates.
He pointed out that over 766,000 new jobs have been created over the past five years in Azerbaijan.
Alakbarov said poverty rate in Azerbaijan dropped from 49% to 13.2%.
The Minister noted Azerbaijan is the first CIS country to have the employment strategy. The government pays special attention to solving problems arising from the ILO`s Decent Work Country Program.
Mrs. Martina Lyubova noted Azerbaijan has always been committed to cooperation with ILO. Despite the financial crisis severely hit the world`s developed countries, the situation in Azerbaijan is completely different. She said other countries can learn from Azerbaijan`s experience. Lyubova hailed Azerbaijan`s accomplishments in ensuring decent work.
Discussion also revolved around the ILO`s Decent Work Country Program for 2006-2009 and prospects for cooperation between Azerbaijan and ILO.