On December 17, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev signed multiple decrees, increasing the minimum wage in the country and salaries of state workers, effective from January 1, 2022, on.
According to one decree, minimum wage in Azerbaijan is raised from 250 manats (147 USD) to 300 (176 USD).
According to another, salaries of workers of 20 state-run organizations are increased by 20%. They include Heydar Aliyev Center, Ataturk Center, International Multiculturalism Center and agencies operating under ministries.
Besides, another decree establishes the increase of salaries of teachers, deputy principals and principals in all state schools by 20%, and those of teachers of subject called “preparation of the youth until military service” by 40%.
The news was widely celebrated in the government-controlled media, putting forward that the decrees cover 800,000 citizens working in public and private sectors, and 9 million manats were allocated from state budget to make this happen.
Meanwhile, independent experts in the country are skeptical of any help the salary raises would bring for people, who are trying to cope with never-ending inflation.
According to the latest data from State Statistics Committe of Azerbaijan, food prices in November this year rose by 15% compared to a year ago, with some particular food experiencing dramatic inflation, such as white cabbage by 192% and tomatoes by 122%.
