AZE.US
Azerbaijan is considering new fines for employers who hire people with registered substance-use disorders for jobs where legal restrictions apply.
The proposed changes would add a new article to the country’s Code of Administrative Offenses.
Under the proposal, company officials could be fined AZN 3,000, or about $1,765, for signing or extending an employment contract with a person undergoing narcological treatment in a field where such employment is restricted.
Officials could also face a fine of AZN 1,000, or about $588, for hiring workers for these positions without requiring a medical examination certificate.
Lawyer Akram Hasanov said the changes are unlikely to have a major impact on Azerbaijan’s labor market.
He noted that some professions require a high level of concentration, responsibility, psychological stability and the ability to make rapid decisions. Existing restrictions are therefore linked to the specific safety requirements of those jobs.
“The main issue is the enforcement mechanism. If inspections are not carried out properly or the rules are violated, authorities may respond by increasing fines,” Hasanov told Demokrat.az.
According to the lawyer, the introduction of tougher penalties suggests that violations have been detected and that administrative controls are being strengthened.
Hasanov said such cases should not be considered widespread. The number of people affected by these restrictions is relatively small and is not expected to significantly influence the broader employment market.
He added that employers currently have a wide pool of applicants. When a candidate does not meet the legal requirements for a particular position, companies can select another applicant.
AZE.US