The prevention of child labor and the protection of minors’ rights remain among Azerbaijan’s most pressing social priorities.
National legislation not only defines strict limits on when and how children can work, but also provides robust enforcement mechanisms aimed at preventing abuse and exploitation.
Azerbaijan’s International Commitments
According to Namig Agayev, head of sector at the State Labor Inspection Service, Azerbaijan has clear international obligations in this area.
“On January 13, 2004, the Republic of Azerbaijan ratified the International Labour Organization’s Convention No. 182, which calls for the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor,” he said.
Under the Labor Code and Article 35 of the Constitution, employers may sign employment contracts only with individuals aged 15 and older.
Violations of this rule carry significant penalties: under Article 192.8 of the Administrative Offenses Code, fines range from 1,000 to 1,500 manats for officials and 3,000 to 5,000 manats for legal entities.
Prohibition of Dangerous or Harmful Work
Agayev stressed that employing minors is not just a legal violation — it poses a serious threat to their mental and physical well-being.
“Minors must never be engaged in work that endangers their life, health, or cultural development. The law strictly prohibits involving children in underground labor such as mining or tunneling, and in industries linked to hazardous materials or psychotropic substances,” he said.
Azerbaijani law also restricts working hours for minors:
“Children are strictly prohibited from working between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m.,” Agayev added.
Legal Responsibility for Parents and Guardians
Lumu Israfilli, spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, said that enforcement measures also target parents and guardians who neglect their responsibilities.
“Failure to provide proper education, health care, and moral upbringing, as well as exposing children to alcohol, drugs, or forced labor, is punishable under Azerbaijani law,” she noted.
In extreme cases where a child’s life or health is in immediate danger, state authorities may decide to remove the child from the family, either temporarily or permanently.
Education and Prevention First
Child protection experts emphasize that the goal of Azerbaijani legislation is not merely to impose fines but to safeguard children’s welfare and ensure their healthy development. Raising public awareness among parents, employers, and educators is seen as a critical step in eliminating child labor and reinforcing a culture of responsibility toward the country’s youngest citizens.
