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 wishing 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 Population 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 as an unemployed person, the availability of conditions for self-employment and a business idea, as well as possession 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 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 who own a share of agricultural land and are not engaged in any other activity may be involved in self-employment for up to 1 (one) year through local bodies of the State Employment Agency or DOST Centers under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan. No more than 50% of the total number of persons are allowed to participate in self-employment.

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

• Providing advice and information to unemployed persons on organizing self-employment;
• Assisting in the selection and organization of self-employment sectors based on labor market analysis;
• Assisting in the development of business plans for self-employment, including training and evaluation of results;
• Providing materials, equipment, and other property (hereinafter referred to as “property”) in kind to unemployed persons for organizing their chosen self-employment activity on a contractual basis for a period of 1 (one) year;
• Monitoring the activities of self-employed persons during the 1 (one) year contract period;
• Activities of the self-employed person are monitored (including electronically) throughout the contract period, and if, at the end of the contract, the activities align with the submitted business plan, the property provided for self-employment is transferred permanently 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? 

People who successfully complete the training and develop a business plan must participate in the exams. The assignment of assets to them is determined based on the results of these 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 the Population of the Republic of Azerbaijan has developed standard packages in three directions, and applicants are provided with assets according to these packages.

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 such cases, disputes between the parties are resolved in court. Consequently, a fine ranging from AZN 1,500 (one thousand five hundred) to AZN 2,000 (two thousand manats) is imposed.