Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

Nursing Personnel Convention, 1977 (No. 149) - Azerbaijan (Ratification: 1992)

Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention. National policy concerning nursing services and nursing personnel – Nursing education and training. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning the ongoing reform of the health-care sector, in particular the increase of the health-care budget by 15 times since independence in 1991, the reconstruction of 160 medical facilities in the last five years and the recent wage increases of health workers which were implemented by presidential orders of 2009, 2010 and 2011, and which raised the average monthly wage of a nurse from 113 Azerbaijani new manat (AZN) (approximately US$144) in 2009 to AZN142 (approximately US$181) in 2011. In this connection, the Committee also notes the Government’s reference to medals and honorary titles, such as the title of “distinguished medical worker” established by Presidential Decree of 13 June 2013, awarded to nursing personnel with a view to stimulating their work. The Committee further notes the Government’s reference to the sectoral collective agreement, concluded between the Ministry of Health and the trade union of health-care workers. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on any practical measures designed to improve the employment and working conditions of nursing personnel, especially in terms of career prospects and remuneration, and to render the nursing profession more attractive. In addition, the Committee would appreciate receiving a copy of the above-referenced sectoral collective agreement.

Moreover, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the nursing workforce decreased from 62,509 employees in 2009 to 57,506 in 2013 as a result of the health-care sector reform, and as a result the Government is now implementing a development programme for 2010–14 to address staff shortage in health-care institutions. The Committee understands that the development programme aims at encouraging young health professionals to work in rural areas and that special commissions have been established to oversee the recruitment of personnel under the programme. The Committee requests the Government to provide additional information on the implementation of the development programme and the results achieved.

With regard to nursing education and training, the Committee notes that there are currently eight public medical colleges operating in the country and that the duration of the nursing training programme was extended in 2011 from two-and-a-half to three years. It also notes that in 2011 a new state standard was adopted updating the relevant curricula and academic programmes. The Committee requests the Government to transmit a copy of the 2011 state standard, as well as a copy of Order No. 58 of 13 June 2013 on model instruction on labour protection for nurses working at state institutions, to which reference was made in its report.