Azerbaijan.US
Amendments to Azerbaijan’s Labor Code, approved by the president, have officially entered into force, introducing a series of changes aimed at strengthening employee protections and modernizing labor relations.
One of the most notable updates is the introduction of paid paternity leave. Fathers are now entitled to 14 days of fully paid leave following the birth of a child. This period is granted independently of the mother’s maternity leave and does not reduce her entitlement. Lawmakers say the measure aligns Azerbaijan with practices widely applied in developed economies.
Another key change is the establishment of a clear legal framework for remote work. The rights and obligations of employees working remotely will now be explicitly regulated through employment contracts. This is expected to expand legal opportunities for individuals to collaborate with multiple employers simultaneously.
The amendments also tighten rules governing the probation period. Employers may now terminate an employee during probation only for justified reasons, addressing previous concerns about dismissals without explanation and enhancing job security for new hires.
A major innovation is the formal introduction of hourly wage calculation, particularly for work performed on non-working days and public holidays. Under the new rules, employees working on holidays or days off must be paid at least double the standard rate. If work is performed for only a few hours, compensation will be calculated strictly based on the hours worked.
Lawmakers emphasize that this change is especially important for employees who are engaged on an hourly basis rather than for full working days, ensuring fair and transparent wage calculation.
Overall, parliamentarians describe the amendments as marking a new phase in labor relations, with stronger safeguards for workers and clearer obligations for employers.
