Parliament news

MPs COMPLAINING ON FOREIGNERS

The draft law "On employment" was discussed by the Milli Mejlis Friday session as MPs Zalimkhan Yagub, Sattar Mehbaliyev and first vice-speaker Arif Rahimzadeh spoke of the arbitrariness in some foreign companies active in Azerbaijan.

Parliamentarians maintain that foreigners do not respect the Azeri language and that foreign companies are mainly staffed with native speakers. Besides, there is a huge difference in the salaries of local and expatriate staff, which basically do the same work.

NEW BILL ON MUNICIPAL COUNCILS BEING PREPARED

The permanent parliamentary commission on regional issues discussed the draft law "On managing municipal lands" Monday. Under the draft bill, the lands registered in municipalities' reserve fund may be privatized, but may not be sold or presented within 5 years thereafter.

The cost of land plots being put on sale is determined by municipalities in accordance with the market prices. The new bill bans the passage of land for use.

TRACECA’s BAKU OPERATIONS DISCUSSED

The meeting of the MM permanent commission on economic policy Monday focused on the agreement on head-quarters between the Azerbaijan Government and a permanent secretariat of the inter-governmental commission on TRACECA.

A building for the TRACECA office has already been allocated, while the meeting focused on terms of payment for utilities. It was indicated that the building cannot be leased to another organization, therefore, the benefits provided by the Azerbaijan government cannot be passed on to another organization. The secretariat will be staffed by Azeri nationals by 65%.

MP REBUKES PM FOR INACTION

Chairman of the "Yurddash" party Mais Safarli castigated the government and prime minister Artur Rasizadeh in particular at a Milli Mejlis session Tuesday. Mr. Safarli says according to the UN Baku office, 69% of Azeri population live beyond poverty margin, while 2 million have already left Azerbaijan due to unbearable living conditions. The reason, the MP believes, is the inaction of the Cabinet of Ministers and Prime Minister in particular. The MP called on parliamentarians to adopt a law that could improve the well-being of people.