Azerbaijan is in the Caucasus Mountains, bordering Russia to the north, Georgia and Armenia to the west, and Iran to the south. It became an independent country in 1991 when the Soviet Union collapsed, and the post-Soviet era has included a difficult transition to democratic government, the challenge of corruption, and a difficult relationship with Azerbaijan’s neighbor Armenia. Azerbaijan’s largest industry is energy. It exports petroleum to many European countries and to China, Israel, and India. Natural gas is also becoming an important export, with new pipelines expected to increase gas exports to Europe in the 2020s. Efforts are underway to diversify the economy to be less dependent on hydrocarbons, with agriculture, tourism, logistics, and information technology being focuses of this effort.
The dry subtropical climate of central and eastern Azerbaijan is characterized by a mild winter and a long (four to five months) and very hot summer, with temperatures averaging about 81 °F (27 °C) and maximum temperatures reaching 109 °F (43 °C).
Southeastern Azerbaijan is characterized by a humid subtropical climate with the highest precipitation in the country, some 47 to 55 inches (1,200 to 1,400 millimetres) a year, most of it falling in the cold months.
A dry continental climate, with a cold winter and a dry, hot summer, prevails in Naxçıvan at altitudes of 2,300 to 3,300 feet. Moderately warm, dry, or humid types of climate are to be found in other parts of Azerbaijan. The mountain forest zone has a moderately cold climate, while an upland tundra climate characterizes elevations of 10,000 feet and above. Frosts and heavy snowfalls make the passes at such altitudes inaccessible for three or four months of the year.
In Azerbaijan, the Minimum Annual Leave entitlement is 21 days for employees over the age of 18. This entitlement increases in line with the number of years of employment within a single company, as follows:
5-10 years of Service – Additional 2 days of leave per annum
10-15 years of Service – Additional 4 days of leave per annum
15 or more years of Service – Additional 6 days of leave per annum
Annual leave can be broken down into multiple leave periods; however, one of the leave periods must be two weeks in length.
If weekly days off and non-working days coincide, that day off shall be transferred to the working day immediately after the holiday. When the holidays of Eid al-Adha (Gurban) and Ramadan coincide with a non-working day, the next working day shall be considered a day off.
There are 24 public holidays in Azerbaijan. In accordance with the Resolution, the following days will be considered as rest days due to coincidence of holidays with the weekends:
3, 4 January, 25 March, 30 May, 27 June, 11, 12 July with respect to five-day working week;
3 January, 25 March, 27 June, 11 July with respect to six-day working week
21 Vacations.
Azerbaijan has 24 public holidays, and employees are entitled to a minimum of 21 days of paid time off per year. This amount increases with the number of years of employment within a company: 5-10 years = Additional 2 days of leave per year. 10-15 years = Additional 4 days of leave per year.
Employees unable to work due to sickness will be paid in full for the first 14 days by the employer; thereafter, the payments will be made by the State Social Protection Fund. In order to receive the sick pay benefit, the employee must provide a medical certificate.
For employees who are terminated based on redundancy, a minimum of 3 month’s severance pay is required.
In general, Severance pay varies depending on the length the employee has been employed:
1 years’ service or less 1 month salary
Between 1- and 5-years’ service 1.4 the monthly salary
Between 5- and 10-years’ service 1.7 the monthly salary
More than 10 years’ service 2X the monthly salary
In addition to general severance pay, a termination payment of 2 months’ salary must be given if:
Terms of employment were changed.
The employee is called for Military Service.
The employee can no longer perform their duties due to a permanent disability.
In the event that the employee dies whilst still in employment, three month’s salary allowance is given to their family members.
Minimum wage: As of January 1, 2021, the minimum wage in Azerbaijan is 250 AZN (about 147 USD) per month.
Social security: All employees in Azerbaijan are required to contribute to the State Social Protection Fund, which provides benefits such as healthcare, disability, and retirement benefits. Employers also contribute to the fund on behalf of their employees.
It's essential to note that benefit entitlements may vary depending on the employment contract, industry, and other factors. Therefore, it's essential to consult with a legal or HR professional to understand specific benefits and entitlements based on individual circumstances.
Azerbaijan
