Support in the framework of self-employment program

What is self-employment?

An individual’s acquisition of work independently or with the support of the state.

What should people intending to participate in the self-employment program do?

Unemployed persons intending to participate in the self-employment program must apply to the local offices of the State Employment Agency or "DOST" centers under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Azerbaijan, where they are registered.

What are the requirements for the people intending to participate in the self-employment program?

Registration of an unemployed person, the availability of conditions for self-employment and a business idea, as well as the availability of basic practical skills are sufficient to participate in this program.

Can the employed people participate in the self-employment program according to the employment law?

Only the unemployed people are eligible to participate in the self-employment program.

Are the people owning agricultural land suitable for the self-employment program?

Unemployed persons having a share of agricultural land and are not engaged in any other activity (not engaged in any other activity) have been engaged in self-employment for 1 (one) year by local bodies of the State Employment Agency or “DOST” centers under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Not more than 50% of the total number of persons are involved in self-employment. 

Which stages shall be passed by the citizens intending to participate in the self-employment program? 

Providing advice and information to the unemployed on the organization of self-employment; 

Assisting in the selection and organization of self-employment in the sectors of the economy based on the analysis of the labor market;

Assist in the development of a business plan for self-employment, including training and evaluation of their results;

 Provision of materials, equipment and other property (hereinafter - property) in kind to unemployed persons for the organization of the chosen direction of self-employment on a contractual basis for a period of 1 (one) year;

Monitoring of the activity of the self-employed person within 1 (one) year; 

The activities of a self-employed person are monitored (including electronic monitoring) during the contract period, and at the end of the contract period, if the person's activities are in accordance with the submitted business plan, the property transferred for self-employment is transferred to the self-employed person.

Is it important for those who have successfully completed the training and developed a business plan to take the exams? 

The people successfully completing the training and developing a business plan should participate at the exams. Assignment of assets to them is determined by the results of examinations (assessment of the business plan). 

What types of businesses can people apply for in the self-employment program? 

Citizens can apply in directions of 1) Production; 2) Service; 3) Agriculture. 

Is there an age limit for people intending to participate in the self-employment program? 

People must be of working age. Are contracts signed with individuals  provided with assets under the self-employment program? Under the program, an agreement is signed with the persons secured by assets reflecting the rights and obligations of the parties. 

What is the period of monitoring of the persons secured by assets? 

Persons secured by assets are monitored for a period of 1 (one) year. 

Are the assets transferred at the request of the applicant? 

The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan has developed standard packages in 3 directions and, according to these standard packages, the applicant is provided with assets.

What measures are taken if the self-employed person intentionally damages the property provided under the contract during this period or does not use the property properly for its intended purpose? 

If a self-employed person intentionally damages the property provided during the contract period or does not use the property for its intended purpose, he must compensate the damage to the body (organization) determined by the relevant executive authority in accordance with the Civil Code of the Azerbaijan Republic. If the property transferred to the self-employed person is taken back and it is not possible to transfer this property to another self-employed person, the property shall be sold through open auctions. 

How are disputes between the parties resolved when a self-employed person refuses to return the value of the property given to him or to compensate for the damage caused to that property?

 In this case, disputes between the parties are resolved in court. Therefore, a fine of AZN 1500 (one thousand five hundred) to 2000 (two thousand manats) is imposed.