Country Fact Sheet

2017

Credit: Mila Tsehaieva 2010 Disclaimer IOM has carried out the gathering of information with great care. IOM provides information at its best knowledge and in all conscience. Nevertheless, IOM cannot assume to be held accountable for the correctness of the information provided. Furthermore, IOM shall not be liable for any conclusions made or any results, which are drawn from the information provided by IOM. I. CHECKLIST FOR VOLUNTARY RETURN

II. HEALTH CARE 1. General Information 2. Medical treatment

III. Labor Market 1. General information 2. Ways/assistance to find employment 3. Unemployment assistance 4. Further education possibilities, vocational trainings

IV. Housing I. General Information 2. Ways to find accommodation 3. Social grants for housing

V. Social Welfare I. General Information 2.Pension system 3.Vulnerable Groups

VI. Education 1. General Information 2. Costs, loans, and stipends 3. Approval and verification of foreign diplomas

VII. Concrete support for returnees

You can find further information here: 2 https://www.returningfromgermany.de/de/countries/azerbaijan I. Checklist ______

To do before the return: To do immediately after the return:

✓ Bring diplomas / certificates and other ✓ apply at the State Agency for Public relevant official documents obtained from Service and Social Innovations under the schools in Germany. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan ✓ get information concerning the arrival at (ASAN) to obtain documents the airport and the onward journey. (http://www.asan.gov.az/), There is a direct express minibus route number 116 operating from the airport to ✓ if he/she travelled with a re-entry city centre. Service runs every 30 certificate (i.e. laissez-passer) and his/her minutes beginning from early in the national ID or passport is expired. morning until late night. The bus leaves Otherwise no registration is mandatory outside the airport building, across the after arrival. parking area. The service terminates at S. Vurgun’s Park on the . The ✓ recheck the registration in a public journey takes approximately 30–40 hospital near to the residing area. minutes. The journey from city centre to the airport by car takes approximately 30 ✓ targeted social assistance is provided by min-40 min. Taxis in Baku are the purple the Government to low-income families, if London cabs. To use the service of applicable. “London” taxis, it is enough to call Baku Taxi Company to short code * 9000. ✓ approach the State Employment Service Another convenient twenty-four-hour taxi under Ministry of Labor and Social service is provided by “Motor Service” Protection of Population for the possible Company, which receives the orders by employment purpose. calling (99412) 189. ✓ contact services assisting with the search ✓ take vaccinations certificate/s from for jobs and housing. clinics/hospitals that will be necessary when returning to the country of origin ✓ apply for child care, schools or other for the (re-) registration in public hospital, educational institutions especially for children.

✓ find a temporary accommodation.

3 II. Healthcare______1. General information

Benefits: Procedure of admission: There is no public health insurance available. There is no a special unit available that According to the law of the Azerbaijan Republic returnee/s should to approach for the further services are free of charge at state owned referral, they need to first visit a nearby hospitals and care units. hospital/clinic according their place of the The Ministry of Health (MoH) is responsible for residence. certain central, typically specialist, institutions, and the administrations of regions and cities are Availability and costs of medication: responsible for all other services. A manual on essential drug use has been In addition, there are several parallel health published and distributed by the MoH. Drugs establishments run by other ministries, e.g. the are purchased and distributed to hospitals by hospital of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Central the pharmaceutical department of the MoH. Hospital of State Customs Committee. Drugs are free-of-charge for in-patient treatments. Patients are charged for the drugs 2. Medical treatment and and availability for out-patient treatments, except for cancer and costs of medication and some psychiatric diseases. Drugs are Medical facilities and doctors: comparatively expensive. Most drugs are • Specialized Republican Hospitals: Central available but some may not in Azerbaijan. In Hospital, Centre of Orthopedics and some cases the names are different from those Prosthetic, Centre for Neuro-Surgery, in the EU. Pharmacies are usually private. Ophtalmology Hospital, Psychiatric Hospital, Tubercolosis Hospital, Urology Hospital, Children's Clinical Hospital, Centre for Oncology.

• Private Hospitals and Clinics: Hospital and clinic of Leyla Shikhlinskaya (http://www.shiklinskayaclinic.com ), Oksigen Medical Clinic (http://www.oksigen.az/ ), Turkish-American Medical Centre (http://www.tamc.az ), Baku Clinic (http://www.bakuclinic.az/en ), MediClub (http://www.mediclub.az/ ), HB Guven (http://www.guvenklinik.az/en ), Central Clinic Hospital (http://www.merkeziklinika.az/)

Access especially for returness Eligibility and requirements: All public clinic/hospitals are free of charge if you have a valid national ID Registration procedure: Returnee need to contact with the Ministry of Health or nearby hospital/clinic according to his place of registration. Required documents: Valid National ID

4 III. Labor Market______

I. General information Access to Unemployment assistance: One of the main trends of the social-economic There are no national legal act provides policy realized in the Republic of Azerbaijan assistance to returnees. Returnee need to during last years is the development of labour approach state employment agency under the market and advantageous use of labor force. Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population. They need a national ID and pervious Reforms implemented in the country caused by labor record book (if available). changing of fundamental quality in the country economy, dynamic economical development has been provided. Relevant measures were taken in 3. Further education and vocational the direction of the regional economical trainings development, increasing social welfare and life Establishments of primary and secondary level of the population in the regions, economy of specialized education is in subordination of the the country especially carrying out of Ministry of Education. development of non-oil sector. More information at: In 2018, the amount of minimum monthly wage http://edu.gov.az/az/page/354 was defined 130 manat and the average monthly nominal wage of employees is 499,8 manat. The official unemployment rate was 5.0%

2. Ways/Assistance to find employment The state employment agency under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population provides assistance on employment.

More information at: • http://www.ses.gov.az/

Online recruitment websites: • http://www.jobsearch.az/ • http://www.rabota.az/ • http://boss.az/vacancies • http://ejob.az/

Office Adress

Baku 44, Sattar Bahluzada str. Tel: (+994 012) 562-75-67; 562-11-23; 562-75-34 Sumgayit Sumqayıt city, 9 mkr, apt 64 (+994 018 64) 2-02-57; 2-02-17 Ganja 122, Mammad Khalafov str, Tel: (+994 02226) 5-12-22; 585-26-22 Mingachevir 1, M.Fizuli str. Tel: (+994 024 27) 4-14-70; 4-32-62 Credit: Mila Tsehaieva 2010 5 III. Labor Market______3. Unemployment assistance Starting from 2018, the national unemployment The fund’s revenues are formed from insurance Insurance Fund has begun operating in Azerbaijan. payments of budget organizations and their According to the Law on Unemployment employees (17.726 million manats), insurance Insurance, 0.5% of the monthly wage of an payments of other insurers (53.567 million employee will be transferred to the fund as an manats) and other incomes (20,000 manats). insurance premium. The fund’s revenues and expenditures for the next year are approved at 89.04 million manats, according to the order.

Of the total expenditures of the fund, 35.802 million manats will be allocated for organization of events for self-employment, 33.478 million manats - for unemployment insurance benefits, 13.709 million manats - for maintaining administration of the employment service and its local bodies, 1.788 million manats - for paid public work, 1.613 million manats - for professional training and additional education, 1.38 million manats - for co-financing (together with an insurer) of a part of salary of those insured for a certain period, 1.15 million manats - for career counseling, 120,000 manats - for organization of labor fairs and stock exchanges.

Credit: Mila Tsehaieva 2010 6 IV.Housing______1. General Information Reconstruction assistance is provided to The rental costs for an apartment in the capital city vary, depending on the location, refugees ethnic Azerbaijanis from Armenia and from AZN 300 per month to AZN 600 or IDPs from Nagorno Karabakh by the Social more. Apartments can be rented based on an Fund for IDPs and Refugees. No construction agreement certified by a public notary. The assistance is provided to returnees. Real estate state duty for this notary action is 20 AZN agencies websites (house rent/sell and the returnee’s valid nation ID is required. announcements): • Price (AZN) Rent www.bina.az • http://www.mekan.az/ Sale m2 (Currency) • http://www.evelanlari.az/ 2017- Annual May Annual • http://emlakbirjasi.com/ Dec Change 2017 Change • http://binatap.az/ Baku 1500 5% 500 5% Sumgait 1200 5% 350 5% 3. Social grants for housing Ganja 1000 5% 300 5% According to the Decree of the President of Mingachevi 800 5% 250 5% the Azerbaijan Republic on “Forming of r mortgage loans systems in the Republic of Lankaran 700 5% 250 5% Azerbaijan”, dated 16 September 2005, numbered 299, the Azerbaijan Mortgage Fund Utilities: under the National Bank of the Republic of Gas: 1 cubic meter = 0.10 qapiks Azerbaijan was established to improve the Electricity: 1 kilowatt-hour = 0.5.7 qapiks living conditions of the population, build an efficient housing finance mechanism, adapt the 2. Ways to find accommodation supply with real demand and attract local and No accommodation assistance is provided to foreign investors to mortgage lending. returnees at national level. Only re-admitted More information at: http://www.amf.az/ nationals may stay at the State Migration Service Reception Center for 3 or 6 months until solving their housing problems.

Credit: Mila Tsehaieva 2010

7 V. Social Welfare______1. Social Welfare System Access: Preconditions for obtaining allowances: • handicapped/disabled persons (including • resignation from the work due to age or those under 16) health problems but with 5 years of • women who reached 62 working length of service in conformity • men who reached 67 with the Law on State Service; • women under 57 who gave birth and • inability to work due to the age; brought up 3 or more children or • physical disability (including those under disabled children since his/her birth till 8 16) /unable to work; years old • loss of the breadwinner of family; • men who reached 62 and without next • inability to work due to health problems marriage brought up 3 or more children since childhood; or disabled children since their birth if • taking care of children under 8 who lost their mother died or was deprived of their parents, brothers, sisters and maternity right, grandparents by unemployed persons; • children of dead breadwinner till they • care for a child under 3 (usually paid to reach 18 and above 18 if they are those who are on maternity leave); handicapped and if they study but not • for education of child under 18 is paid to reached 23 (paragraph 1.0.2. of article 1 special category of people determined by of the a/m law) the relevant state executive agency; • registered guardians of children who lost Eligibity: their parents or whose parents were • citizens of Azerbaijan deprived of their parental rights under the • stateless persons permanently residing in courts’ decision; Azerbaijan • for low income families who have children under 1 (status of the family is Costs: determined in conformity with the law on There is no beneficiary’s finical participation “Addressed Social Allowance”); for the documentations in order to • for infected persons who participated in approach/receive the respective allowance. emergency operations in the high radiation zones if they have relevant Benefits: medical certificate on X-ray infection The amount of allowance is determined by issued by Medical Social Expert; the relevant state executive agency • for birth of baby; depending on the status of the applicant and • for funerals of state servant, aged person, the situation and is subject to indexation at handicapped person, handicapped person least once per year (article 8 of the b/m law). under 16, family breadwinner. Those who Allowances are monthly or single paid fall under points 1-11 are paid monthly depending on the situation (article 1 of the allowances and those under points 12-14 a/m law). • single allowances

The returnee needs to approach the State Social Protection Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan: http://www.sspf.gov.az

Required documents: • Identity documents of the applicant and the person who will benefit from the allowance • documents confirming facts for payment of allowances.

8 V. Social Welfare______2. Pension System Access: There are different types of labor pension: The preconditions for obtaining a pension are • old-age labor pension • disability labor pension • women who reached the age of 60 when • survivor’s labor pension. resigning from work • men who reached the age of 63 when Old-age and disability labor pensions consist resigning from work are entitled to obtain of 3 parts: basic part, insurance part, funded a pension if they have 5 years of insurance part. State Social Protection Fund: record http://dsmf.gov.az • women aged from 44 to 51 who bring up 3 or more children or disabled children • male headed households aged above 55 Costs: • guardianship of underage abandoned The pension insurance is calculated in children or orphans conformity with the calendar (days, months, • women above the age 42 and men above years) and depends on the period of work of the age 47 who suffer from hypovisganism the applicants/beneficiaries. Person needs to approach the State Social Benefits: Protection Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Minimum pension rate on average is AZN More information at: http://www.sspf.gov.az 110. Required documents: identity documents, written application, labor record book, other documents requested by relevant executive agency.

VI. Educational System 1. General Information The languages of instruction is Russian, English Educational Level Age and Azerbaijani. There are 1,790 functioning preschool institutions, which serve 111,000 or e.g. Child care / nursery school 0 – 2 16.1 percent of children of the respective age. 82% of preschool establishments for 1st year e.g. Kindergarten 2 – 6 pupils are located in urban localities. 5 special Primary Level purpose and 5 sanatorium-type preschools are for physically or mentally disabled children to e.g. Elementary School 6 – 10 complement the general preschool facilities. 6 pre-school establishments have special units Secondary Level where 404 children receive both education and treatment. 14 kindergartens accommodate e.g. Middle School 10 – 15 special groups for dumb, deaf and blind children. There are 225 specialized schools, including 7 e.g. High School 15 – 17 gymnasiums and 33 lyceums, teach 84,000 high Higher Education academic achievers. e.g. Collegen, University, Professional From 19 School etc.

9 VI. Educational System

Similar to other global academia, there are three Access and requirements to stipends/loans: level at universities. The State Student Admission Commission conducts one undergraduate and two graduate • First stage “Bakalayr”: Length of program: 4 exams each year to complete university years, Certificate/diploma awarded: Bachelor's enrolments. The enrolment is very competitive Degree or Bakalavr, Study of the Humanities where the places are offered based on the test and Natural Sciences as well as the basis of results. Majority of free places are considered for the chosen specialty public Universities. More information at: • Second stage “Magistr”: Length of program: http://www.tqdk.gov.az/ 1.5-2 years, Certificate/diploma awarded: Master's Degree or Magistr; Acquire in-depth Approval and verification of foreign diplomas: knowledge and professional training in the The Ministry of Education approves and verifies Humanities and in Natural Sciences foreign diplomas only in conformity with bilateral • Third stage / post-graduate course: Length of agreements signed with other countries. More program: 2 or 3 years; Certificate/diploma information at: https://www.nostrifikasiya.edu.az awarded: Candidate of Science (PhD)

Costs, loans, and stipends Depending on the test score a person (student candidate) may be offered either a paid place or one totally free of charge. Credit: Mila Tsehaieva 2010

10 VI. Educational System

Access for returnees There are 702 schools for refugees/ethnic Azerbaijanis from Armenia. IDPs from Nagorno Karabakh teach 88,000 pupils from refugee-families.

Admission of students to comprehensive schools is carried out on I and X classes. The admission of students to the first class is implemented by the Commission organized based on the order of the director of the school. The admission of children to the first classes is conducted based on the application of one of the parents or other legal representatives. Electronic document submission will be made through the site www.mektebeqebul.edu.az

Following documents are required for the admission to the first class: • original and copy of the child's birth certificate • temporary or permanent residence permit in the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic • United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee Protection Certificate • medical record of children (Form 26U); • two 3x4 photos; • preschool graduation certificate (if applicable)

The application of a parent (or other legal representative) should indicate the first and second language the child is supposed to study. Information on whether or not he or she attended preschool training level. More information at http://edu.gov.az/en/page/303/5339

VIII. Contact information and useful links

Relevant non-governmental organizations:

Azerbaijan Children’s Union Migrants Labor Rights Protection League Tel.: (+994 12) 511-34-09 Tel.: (+994 12) 530-86-25) [email protected] the World of Law SOS Children Village Tel.: (+994 12) 480 22 31 Tel.: (+99412) 490-39-13, [email protected]) [email protected]

NGO Symetria Azerbaijan Migration Centre Tel.: (+994 12) 493-40-56/493-40-56/771-99-23/621-08- Tel.: (+994 12) 498-91-74/498-09-72 84 [email protected] Clean World Aid to Women PU Tel.: (+994 12) 511-34-15 NGO Hayat [email protected] Tel.: (+99412) 497-30-52 Education Public Support Association of Youth of NGO Place for Hope Azerbaijan (EPSAYA) Tel.: (+ 994 51) 814-44-42 [email protected]

11 VIII. Contact information and useful links

International organizations:

International Organization for Migration International Monetary Fund Tel.: (+99412) 465-90-71/72 Tel.: (+99412) 497-01-88-89 [email protected] [email protected]

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees World Bank Tel: (+99412) 497-10-82, Tel.: (+99412) 492-19-41 [email protected] [email protected]

United Nations Development Programme Asian Development Bank Tel.: (+99412) 498-98-88 Tel.: (+99412) 437-34-77 [email protected] [email protected]

United Nations Population Fund European Bank of Reconstruction and Tel.: (+99412) 492-24-70 Development [email protected] Tel.: Tel:(+99412) 497-10-14 [email protected] United Nations Children`s Fund Tel.: (+99412) 492-30-13 International Labor Organization [email protected] Tel.: (+99412) 497-13-00 [email protected] Council of Europe International Committee of the Red Cross Tel.:(+99412) 599-05-27-28 Tel.: (+99412) 465-63-35 / 564-27-08 / 465-63-34, [email protected] [email protected])

Delegation of the European Union to Azerbaijan International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Tel.: (+99412) 497-20-63 Crescent Societies [email protected] Tel.: +99412) 493-84-81 [email protected] Food and Agriculture Organization Tel.: (+99412) 498-02-57, International Islamic Relief Organization [email protected] Tel.: (+99412) 438-84-97/497-04-02

World Health Organization TRACECA Tel.: (+99412) 498-98-88 Tel.:(+99412)598-27-18 [email protected] [email protected]

12 VIII. Contact information and useful links

Embassy of the Republic of Consular Section of the Embassy Office of the Honorary Azerbaijan to the Federal Consul of the Republic of Republic of Germany Tel.: +49 (0)30 206 480 63 Azerbaijan in Stuttgart Fax: +49 (0)30 219 161 51 Hubertusallee 43 E-mail: [email protected] Heilbronner Straße 154 14193 Berlin 70191 Stuttgart Opening hours of the Consular Tel.: +49 (0)30 219 161 3 Section: Monday, Wednesday and Tel: +49 (0)711 263 7712 0 Fax: +49 (0)30 219 161 52 Friday 09.00 - 12.00 h. Fax: +49 (0)711 263 7712 9 Calling hours of the Consular E-mail: [email protected] Section: Monday, Wednesday and E-mail: info@honorarkonsulat- Web: http://berlin.mfa.gov.az/ Friday 15.00 - 17.00 h; aserbaidschan.de Tuesday and Thursday 09.00 - 12.00 h. Web: www.honorarkonsulat- aserbaidschan.de

Relevant non-governmental organizations: Azerbaijan Children’s Union Migrants Labor Rights Protection League Tel.: (+994 12) 511-34-09 Tel.: (+994 12) 530-86-25) [email protected] the World of Law SOS Children Village Tel.: (+994 12) 480 22 31 Tel.: (+99412) 490-39-13, [email protected]) [email protected]

NGO Symetria Azerbaijan Migration Centre Tel.: (+994 12) 493-40-56/493-40-56/771-99-23/621- Tel.: (+994 12) 498-91-74/498-09-72 08-84 [email protected] Clean World Aid to Women PU Tel.: (+994 12) 511-34-15 NGO Hayat [email protected] Tel.: (+99412) 497-30-52 Education Public Support Association of Youth of NGO Place for Hope Azerbaijan (EPSAYA) Tel.: (+ 994 51) 814-44-42 [email protected]

13 VIII. Contact information and useful links

Schools, Colleges, and Universities: Public Universities: Schools and Colleges: Azerbaijan Architecture and Construction Azerbaijan art college under the Academy of Arts; University, ADA University, Azerbaijan Medical Technical college of Baku; Baku Oil-energy college; University, Academy of Public Administration Baku college of management and technology; (Azerbaijan), Azerbaijan Technical University, Azerbaijan Finance-Economic College; Baku Azerbaijan State Agrarian University, Azerbaijan technical school of food industry; Baku state State Economic University, Azerbaijan State Marine college of social economy; Baku computer college; Academy, Azerbaijan State Oil Academy, Music college under Azerbaijan National of Languages, Baku Academy Conservatory; Baku industry pedagogical technical of Music, , Baku State school; Aghdam music technical school; Shamakhy University, Azerbaijan State University of Culture cultural and educational technical school; Shusha and Arts, , Lankaran State cultural and educational technical school; Shusha University, Mingachevir Polytechnic Institute, music technical school; Astara pedagogical Nakhchivan State University, Sumqayit State technical school; Aghdam state college of social University economy; Goychay state college of management and technology; Zagatala state college of management and technology; Barda state college of management and technology; Kazakh state college Private Universities: of social economy; Tovuz state college of social Azerbaijan University, , economy; Nakhchivan state technical college; , , Baku Sabirabad state college of social economy; Engineering University, Western University, Shamakhy state industry and Economy College; Nakchivan Private University Guba state college of social economy; Baku college of communication and transport; Azerbaijan sea technical school of fish industry; Aghjabadi pedagogical technical school; Construction college under Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction.

Websites of relevant Ministries and Services:

- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (+99412) 596-90-00, [email protected] - Ministry of Internal Affairs Hotline -102, (+99412) 590-92-22,[email protected] - State Migration Service Hotline - 919, (+994 12) 565-61-18/19/20/21/22, [email protected] - Ministry of Economy and Industry (+99412) 493-88-67, [email protected] - Ministry of Taxes (+99412) 403-89-70, [email protected] - Ministry of Transport (+99412) 431-74-37, [email protected] - Ministry of Communications and High Technologies (+99412) 498-58-38, [email protected] - Ministry of Health Hotline -9103, [email protected] - Ministry of Education (+99412) 599-11-55, [email protected] - Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population Hotline - 142, (+99412) 596-50-33 - Ministry of Culture and Tourism (+99412) 493-43-98/493-30-02, [email protected] - Ministry of Youth and Sports (+99412) 465-84-21, [email protected] - State Employment Service (+99412) 596-50-33 - State Social Protection Fund (+99412) 434 60 18, [email protected] - State Border Service (+99412) 493-36-65/ 493-19-23/ 498-01-43 - Main Department on Struggle Against Human Traffic (+99412) 590-90-28

You can find further information here: 14 https://www.returningfromgermany.de/de/countries/azerbaijan