Azerbaijan factory workers complain of ‘up to 16-hour shifts’
Workers at the Nati biscuit and chocolate factory in Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan exclave have complained of poor working conditions, saying their shifts often significantly exceed eight hours.
Employees told Gündəlik Naxçıvan they worked long hours for a monthly salary of 400 manats (about $235), which had not increased for three years. They also complained of low overtime pay and alleged that workers who raised concerns about conditions were dismissed.
The employees said they also worked on Saturdays.
One worker, identified as N.B., said:
“We are made to work 12 to 14 hours a day, and sometimes as many as 16.”
He said the long hours left workers physically exhausted and struggling to get home.
‘Those who complain are fired’
Workers said it was also unsafe to speak openly about conditions at the factory, alleging that those who complained were identified and then dismissed. Most therefore did not want to reveal their names.
Another employee called on the State Labour Inspection Service to investigate the factory.
“Why doesn’t the Labour Inspectorate come and inspect this factory?” the worker asked.
Employees alleged that after previous complaints, factory management learned the identities of those behind them and the workers subsequently lost their jobs. If confirmed, the allegations would raise concerns not only about working hours and pay, but also about possible retaliation against employees seeking to assert their labour rights.
What does the law say?
Under Azerbaijan’s labour legislation, the normal working day may not exceed eight hours, while the working week may not exceed 40 hours. A six-day working week is permitted; however, with a 40-hour working week, the working day may not exceed seven hours, and on the day before a day off, it may not exceed six hours. Therefore, working on Saturdays is not in itself a violation of the law. What matters is the total number of hours worked per week and the length of rest periods.
Even at enterprises where cumulative working-time accounting is used, a single shift may not exceed 12 hours. These limits are also set out in the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection’s 2026 work calendar. The workers’ claims that they work 14- and 16-hour shifts may therefore indicate violations of labour law.
According to guidance from the State Labour Inspection Service, overtime is permitted only in exceptional circumstances. Article 165 of the Labour Code stipulates that, for employees paid on a time basis, each hour of overtime must be paid at no less than twice the normal hourly rate.
The 400 manats mentioned by the workers corresponds to the minimum monthly wage in force since January 2025. However, the minimum wage is the minimum amount payable to an employee who has worked the full monthly quota of working hours and does not include payment for overtime.
Factory is part of Ləzzət Group
According to the company’s official information, the factory began operating in 2010 as Ləzzət Biskvit və Şokolad Fabriki LLC. It produces wafers, biscuits, cookies and other confectionery products under the Nati brand and other trademarks.
The Ləzzət Group website says the factory has a daily production capacity of 30 tonnes and exports its products to a number of countries. The company also says that in 2019 the factory received an honorary diploma for creating healthy and safe working conditions. The workers’ current complaints stand in stark contrast to this information.
At the time of writing, no comments from the Nati factory, Ləzzət Group or the State Labour Inspection Service regarding the workers’ specific allegations could be found in publicly available sources.
The employees are calling on the relevant state authorities to investigate working hours at the factory, overtime pay, wage levels and working conditions in general.
