YEN Azerbaijan

Baku, October 10, AssA-Irada


Some foreign companies operating in Azerbaijan are setting citizens against
their government, a parliament member says.


"The heads of such companies tell local workers that the difference in the
wages they receive and those of their expatriate counterparts is enforced on
a recommendation of the government," deputy chairman of pro-government Ana
Vatan Party, MP Zahid Oruj told a parliamentary session on Tuesday.


"They claim that none of the officials have made any public statements in
this respect and there are no official documents to that end," said Oruj.


The MP went on to say that foreign employers threaten some Azeri workers
whose rights are violated with lawsuits, maintaining that any given court
would issue a ruling in favor of foreign investors, allegedly on the
government's instruction.

"But there are no such instructions. I believe that by doing so, foreign
companies are setting citizens and the government against each other."

Oruj said harsh sanctions should be introduced in the law to prevent
pressure on local workers.*