Azerbaijan, Baku, August 14 / Trend A. Akhundov /
According to the recommendation of the World Bank, it is planned to test a program to support low-income families in Guba and Ismayilli regions during a year. It was stated at the zonal meeting of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Labour and Social Protection in Masalli region, the ministry said.
A decision was made to initiate work on this program in Masalli region. The program will be realized in 2011. This program will be expanded for the whole country on the basis of corresponding changes to the law on 'Targeted social assistance' in 2012. It is scheduled for mid of the next year.
Responsible people for social protection centers of Astara, Lankaran, Lerik, Masalli, Yardimli and Jalilabad regions attended the meeting chaired by director of the department on poverty and policy of targeted social assistance in the Ministry Natig Gasimov.
The work conducted in execution of the program in the regions was discussed. It was noted that Azerbaijan started to explore the possibilities to use the principles of social assistance, social rehabilitation of poor families, taking into account their current and potential opportunities, and increase family incomes as in many countries.
A number of innovations, including the provision of low-income families with social services, maintenance and enhancement of employment for capable members of these families through active measures, the conclusion of a dozen social contracts to create real conditions for more efficient use of targeted assistance aimed to increase family income, will be implemented.
The innovations, provided in the system, eliminate the factors causing poverty and create conditions for self-sufficiency of families.
As of July 1, 2010, about 132,945 families (603,074 people) get aid. The average amount per family is 112.98 manat, per person - 24.91 manat. About 108,277 people (81.4 percent) receive benefits for the first time.
Azerbaijan has passed to the system since 2006. The amount of aid is based on the difference between the criterion needs, which is 65 manat, and income per family member.