"In order to ensure a decent standard of living for working citizens, depending on the development of the economy, measures will be taken to gradually bring the minimum wage to the minimum living standards and to the amount of 60 percent of the average monthly wage established in European countries."
This is written in the Development Concept "Azerbaijan 2020: Look Into the Future" approved by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated December 29, 2012.
Fakt Yoxla examined whether the government has fulfilled its promise.
Table: Ratio of the minimum wage to the average monthly wage in Azerbaijan in 2012-2022
As can be seen from the table, the ratio of the minimum wage to the average monthly wage in Azerbaijan increased from 24% to 36% in 2012-2020.
As for the measures taken in the direction of increasing the minimum wage, during the period covered by the concept, several decisions were made regarding the increase of the minimum wage. According to the relevant orders of the President, the minimum wage in the country was increased from 93.50 manats to 105 manats on September 1, 2013, from 105 manats to 116 manats on January 1, 2017, from 116 manats to 130 manats on January 1, 2018, from 130 manats to 180 manats on March 1, 2019, and from 180 manats to 250 manats on September 1, 2019. Despite these steps, the government could not raise the minimum wage to 60 percent of the average monthly wage, as the average monthly wage also increased during that period.
Fakt Yoxla concludes that the government has not fulfilled its promise.
