Azerbaijani President raises pensions for conflict-affected individuals

The Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has issued three successive decrees increasing pensions for different categories of individuals who have become disabled during military service. The presidential decrees concern Karabakh war veterans, individuals who suffered during the deployment of Soviet troops in Baku on 20 January 1990, WWII and Afghan war veterans, individuals who suffered in the course of dealing with the aftermath of the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, as well as the families of those who were killed in the aforesaid events.

The presidential decrees cover a total of 33 600 people. Additional funds amounting to AZN 6 million (over USD 3.5 million) will be allocated from the state budget to cover the pension increase.

Here is a comparison table that shows pension increases for the different categories (given in Azerbaijani manats and US dollars):

• National heroes of Azerbaijan: pensions were AZN 1 300 (USD 765), will become AZN 1 500 (USD 882)
• Individuals who became disabled during military operations: pensions were AZN 60 (USD 35), will become AZN 66 (USD 39)
• Victims of 20 January, 1990: pensions were AZN 150 (USD 88), will become AZN 165 (USD 97)|
• Family members of those killed in the Karabakh war: pensions were AZN 200, will become AZN 220 (USD 129)

The new pension increases will take effect as of 1 March 2018.