BP to launch project on employment for disabled people in Azerbaijan [UPDATE]

By Azernews

By Sara Israfilbayova

The presentation of the joint project of BP and its project partners in Azerbaijan -- the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection in order to support the employment of persons with disabilities was held in Baku on December 11.

The project, which to be implemented by British Council Azerbaijan, involves conducting courses and training for 100 people with disabilities.

During the presentation, it was noted that the group of companies had already committed to providing employment for 100 project participants. To manage this activity, it is planned to create a steering committee of representatives of these companies.

In addition to specialized training, it is also planned to hold English courses, computer courses (programming and design) and communication skills training for these people.

Regional president of BP for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, Gary Jones said that the project is planned in such a way as to prepare participants from a professional point of view, as well as psychologically and socially.

The project cost is 480,000 manats ($282,300). Its implementation will end in late 2018.

Addressing the event, Salim Muslumov, the minister of labor and social protection of population noted that the ministry has prepared a new draft "Law on Protection of Rights of Persons with Disabilities”.

He said the draft law has already been submitted to Presidential Administration by the Cabinet of Ministers.

“Today, we need to ensure economic sovereignty of persons with disabilities in Azerbaijan,” he said. “To this end, we must improve the legislation in order to bring the labor market in line with the needs of disabled people. At present, Azerbaijan’s legislation implies certain preferences for disabled people, but they are only limited to payment of social benefits. It is necessary to show that people with disabilities are members of society, just like all of us.”

Earlier, the minister noted that some employers are not ready to create necessary conditions for disabled people in Azerbaijan.

“Some employers don’t want to spend money on people with disabilities,” he said. “We must address this issue jointly. In accordance with the Azerbaijani legislation, half of job quotas are provided for people with disabilities. However, these quotas are not respected today. Absence of serious financial sanctions is one of the reasons for that.”

Muslimov added that this problem should be solved by changing public opinion.

Currently, 6.4 percent of Azerbaijan's population has a disability, while the world figure is 15 percent.

“Today, 624,000 people with disabilities live in Azerbaijan, and their number increases every year. According to data for 10 months of this year, about 15 percent of children who received the status of persons with disabilities were born with physical disabilities. About 26,000 people out of 624,000 receive a pension as the disabled of the first group, and 22,000 receive social benefits,” the minister said, stressing that it is important to create opportunities for people with disabilities to work.