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“People are not needed by the state when they are born, nor when they lose their ability to work. Only those who survive are exploited for their labor capacity, that’s all.”

Governance and Corruption

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is on a visit to Baku, touched upon the population growth in the country in a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on June 13. He said that Azerbaijan would move forward even more successfully if population growth is achieved: “I urge families in Turkey to have at least three children for population growth, and in Azerbaijan, this number should be five. Azerbaijan will be stronger when it succeeds in it. The population changes the paradigm of the country’s future.”

From January 1 this year in Azerbaijan, the monthly amount of social benefits for women with more than five children was set at 105 manats per child. However, since 2006, monthly allowances have not been given to children in the country. Economist Nazim Beydamirli told Azadlig Radio that according to Azerbaijani legislation, there is a benefit system only for mothers with more than five children. “This benefit is 105 manats. However, the minimum living wage for children in 2023 is 220 manats. That is, to support five children under minimal conditions, the family needs to have an income of 1,100 manats. If we take into account both parents, this minimum amount should be above 1,600 manats so that they can at least provide the minimum living wage. Of course, this does not include utilities, education, and health care expenses. “

Journalist Seymur Hezi said that the first duty of the welfare state is to children and the elderly. In Azerbaijan, they are not even on the list of least prioritized. People are not needed by the state when they are born, nor when they lose their ability to work. Only those who survive, are exploited for their labor capacity, that’s all.”

According to the new law on taxis, a special device will be installed on taxis, the fee per driver will be 3,000 manats, an unauthorized driver will be fined 40,000 manats, the number of taxis will be reduced and taxi prices will increase. The Minister of Transport says that taxis are not as cheap anywhere in the world as it is in Azerbaijan.

Chairperson of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP) Ali Karimli said that the taxi service should become more expensive because Pasha Holding has recently entered this market. “Of course, it is impossible for a billionaire company of this size to do business with little money and at a cheap price. Do the current taxi prices even match the name of Pasha Holding? Of course, it is not appropriate and action should be taken. But what should ordinary Azerbaijanis do in this situation? The government is not interested in this question. For a long time, they did not take into account the situation of ordinary people when making their decisions. Because they are sure that simple, oppressed Azerbaijanis are not doing anything for the regime to settle accounts with them. Are they wrong to think so?”

Chairperson of the ADWP Gubad Ibadoghlu said that the minister of digital development had no to say about the future of the  country. “Minister Rashad Nabiyev, who is worried about the low price of taxis and who presented the increase in prices as good news in the parliament, should be the last official who can speak on this issue. Because “Baku Taxi Service” Limited Liability Company operates under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport headed by him. Such a statement by the minister of the field, who has a regulatory function as well as a commercial activity, is a conflict of interest. Therefore, first of all, this conflict should be resolved, and then the minister’s right to speak about it should be recognized. It can be seen that in Azerbaijan, the state supports monopoly, not competition, and the government is fully committed to the growth of Pasha Holding‘s market share and the strengthening of its economic dominance.

Chairperson of the National Council of Demcoratic Forces (NCDF) Jamil Hasanli  said that  the employees, including the minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev did not understand the possible impact of rising costs on the family budget. “There are no such taxi prices anywhere in the world”, minister Nabiyev said which faces harsh criticism.  “The minister does not understand that there are no such low salaries, pensions, or social assistance anywhere in the world. The price should be determined by the market in a competitive environment, not by the minister. When the minister determines, it becomes a monopoly. The government’s job is to ensure affordable prices, not to encourage high prices.”

Chairperson of the Azerbaijan Democracy and Welfare Party Gubad Ibadoglu said that the construction works in the Karabakh region should be open for public and the government should ensure the transparency of the projects. “I note once again that I am not against the financial resources of the state to carry out restoration and reconstruction works in Karabakh and East Zangezur, which were freed from occupation. Ibadoghlu said that first financial transparency, information openness, and accountability should be ensured, and free and competitive tenders should be organized so that these funds are effectively used and not embezzled. Otherwise, the Great Return will not only drag on for years but even in decades, and no matter how much money is allocated to it, it will become a fodder for corruption. Therefore, I invite you to join our efforts in this direction and to achieve public control, to demand from the government a report on the funds spent in Karabakh and East Zangezur.

In the last 2 years and the current year, 11 billion 775 million manats were allocated for this purpose, and more than 70 percent of it was directed to road construction and construction of airports.

According to the information released by the State Border Service, on June 15 at arpund 8 in the morning the Lachin checkpoint was fired upon. It is reported that as a result of the shooting, one military serviceman of the DSC was injured. DSC said that the firing point has been silenced.

“Operational conditions are under the control of our units. The wounded serviceman was given first aid, his life is not in danger.” The DSC said that all responsibility for the provocation rests on the military and political leadership of Armenia. Armenian official sources have not released any information about the ceasefire violation.