Resources for employers in Azerbaijan
Resources for employers in Azerbaijan
We use “refugees” as a term encompassing forcibly displaced people with different legal statuses, such as refugees, subsidiary protection holders, temporary protection holders, asylum seekers and other persons in need of international protection.
In cases where differentiating information relating to each status is essential (i.e. regarding the right to work), this is clearly indicated.
Why hire refugees and stateless people in Azerbaijan?
Azerbaijan is host to a considerable community of refugees from Afghanistan, the Russian Federation, and the people from Ukraine in refugee-like situation. In addition, 657,749 individuals are internally displaced as a result of the former conflict in Karabakh region and surrounding areas dating back over 30 years. While IDPs benefit from unhindered access to employment, refugees often lack awareness about how to access the labor market and how to secure suitable jobs.
In this context, Azerbaijani companies play an important role for the inclusion of refugees in the labor market. By opening their doors to forcibly displaced individuals, companies can help them become self-reliant and active contributors to society. According to the TENT Partnership for Refugees, hiring refugees has been found to improve retention and strengthen recruitment, which benefits companies struggling with labor shortages and skills gaps. UNHCR engages with the private sector along with relevant authorities to promote the employment of refugees. With UNHCR’s support, 37 refugees obtained formal employment in 2024, among which are seven refugees who obtained taxi pass cards and permits. In addition, 7 refugees were enrolled in the full-time internships in tailoring and handicrafts with a local artisan company, of whom several were employed by the company subsequently.
The Leyla Medical Center is one of the leading clinics in Baku. Through collaboration with UNHCR, the center has hired an Afghan refugee as a nurse after she successfully graduated from Baku Medical College. UNHCR supported the refugee throughout her studies by covering her annual tuition fees and some expenses related to transport and purchasing supplies. Read more about the story here.
How many refugees and stateless people are there in Azerbaijan?
As of mid-2024, there were 657,749 internally displaced persons in Azerbaijan. In addition, the country is hosting 8,087 forcibly displaced people (out of them 6,535 persons in refugee-like situation from Ukraine), 224 asylum-seekers, and 500 stateless persons.
Visit the Refugee Data Finder to learn more
What are the main challenges?
Available findings indicate several key challenges: 1) Language proficiency is often a significant barrier, particularly in roles requiring communication with clients; 2) Asylum seekers and refugees face administrative hurdles that complicate legal work authorization; 3) Undocumented stateless persons face obstacles in accessing employment, as they are unable to provide any form of identification; 4) Local employers lack information that the individuals with refugee ID cards issued by UNHCR are allowed to work in the country and it is covered in the exception stipulated in the Migration Code, which states that they can be employed without obtaining a work permit or paying additional tax fees; 5) Limited knowledge of refugees of how to create an effective job profile or craft a compelling CV to secure better employment opportunities: many may lack the skills or resources to present their qualifications and experiences in a way that aligns with employer expectations.
View the country profile of Azerbaijan on the Integral Human Development platform.
| Status | Who it applies to | Right to work? |
|
Asylum seeker |
Individuals who have applied for international protection in Azerbaijan but still have not received a decision on their application. | Asylum seekers have the right to work temporarily without a work permit but need a PIN code to conclude a legal contract. |
| Refugee status | Individuals who have a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. | Refugees, including UNHCR mandate refugees, have the right to work in Azerbaijan and are also exempt from obtaining a work permit and from labor quotas. |
| Internally displaced person (IDP) | Individuals who have been forced to leave their permanent place of residence and have moved to another location within the country as a result of a military invasion or natural or human-made disaster. | Internally displaced persons have the right to work in Azerbaijan. |
| Refugee-like status | Residents of Ukraine and their family members who were forced to leave their country due to the current war and who have not applied for asylum but who can be enrolled by UNHCR for assistance. | The persons in refugee-like situation need to obtain a work permit to engage in a paid labor activity on the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan. |
| Stateless person | A stateless person is someone who is not considered as a citizen by any country (whether recognized as such or not). | Documented by the Government of Azerbaijan, stateless persons have the right to work in Azerbaijan. Undocumented stateless individuals face obstacles in accessing employment, as they are unable to provide any form of identification. |
How do I connect with refugee and stateless talent?
Employers who wish to employ forcibly displaced and stateless individuals can get in touch with UNHCR to become a private sector partner. With the assistance of UNHCR, in 2023 11 refugees have obtained formal employment, 8 refugee women have secured internships, and 45 refugees have completed skills training courses.
What can I do to support refugee and stateless employees?
Employers who want to create refugee-friendly recruitment processes and workplaces may take several steps in order to facilitate refugees. These include: 1) Language and skills trainings: companies can offer Azerbaijani language classes, as well as skills training tailored to the position. This could include vocational skills, digital skills, or other areas where refugees may lack formal training but have transferrable skills; 2) Advocacy for rights and awareness: managers can create awareness among company employees and other local businesses about the benefits and importance of hiring refugees, showcasing successful integration stories, and addressing misconceptions; 3) Open recruitment: employers can organize open recruitment sessions provide an inclusive platform for refugees to participate and showcase their skills and qualifications, facilitating their integration into the labor market.
Job matching services
Companies seeking to hire refugees can get in touch with UNHCR which may facilitate job matching between skilled workers and industries in need of labor. UNHCR also offers counseling and legal assistance related to employment rights, documentation, and navigating labor laws and rules.
Skills trainings
Employers can offer employment to graduates from the various skills training courses supported by UNHCR which are available to refugee youth and women. These include tailoring, hairdressing, manicure specialist, auto repair, cooking, confectionery, IT front end, graphic design, interior design, jewellery, and Azerbaijani language.
“Skills for Employment” toolkit prepared by IKEA with best practices on how employers can open employment pathways for refugees
A report by the TENT partnership for refugees on “How Hiring Refugees Helps Brands: Europe (2023)”
2023 Briefing Paper by the World Economic Forum titled “Enabling the Economic Integration of Refugees: Lessons learned on refugee employment and employability from the rapid response to Ukraine” .