Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 19 /Trend/
Ellada Khankishiyeva, director of Trend analytical department
According to official statistics, the average monthly salary in Azerbaijan in October totaled 320 manat or $400, which is 7.2 percent more than October 2009 and 0.3 percent than the previous month. This average figure accurately characterizes the welfare of the working population of the country.
According to State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan, the average wage of industrial workers is 454 manat ($567), with growth of 7.5 percent. The workers in the private sector are paid 583 manat ($729), which is 1.6 times (366 manat, or $457) more than those working in the public sector.
In the extractive industry, the wage is 1,051 manat ($1,314) with growth of 5.4 percent. The highest increase in wages compared with other industries is observed in processing sector. For example, in the processing industry, the average salary is 305.3 manat, which is 12 percent more than the same period of the last year. The highest salary in the processing industry is received by workers engaged in oil refining - 510 manat ($637.5), the lowest - in the furniture industry - 182 manat ($227.5).
The average monthly salary in the electricity and gas supply is 342 manat that is seven percent more than the same period of the last year. The wages in the water supply amounted to 183 manat, decreasing by five percent compared to last year.
In the construction sector of Azerbaijan, the average monthly salary of workers has reached 502.4 ($628), 11.7 percent more that the same period of the last year. The wage is 527 manat ($659) in large and medium-sized construction companies in the country. It should be noted that due to the rapid development of construction work, the average wage in this sector exceeds those in the industry by 11 percent.
Average monthly wage in transport is 360 ($450). This figure in the air transportation is $850, the sea - $660, motor vehicle - $470, railway - $180, which clearly shows the situation with the differentiation of wages within the same industry.
The average monthly wage of postal and telecommunications worker is 535 manat ($668.75). In this case, the indicator in enterprises and institutions of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is 265 manat ($331), which indicates that the highest salaries in this area are provided by private companies.
The lowest wages in the country has been recorded in agricultural sector - 151 manat ($189). And despite that the agriculture, being at all times the main branch of economy in Azerbaijan, plays an important role in the development of the country and providing the population with essential consumer goods.