Woman accuses museum director of wrongful dismissal amid cancer battle

A native of the Fizuli district, Teyyuba Ibishova, who is fighting a difficult battle with cancer, has reported a gross violation of her labor rights. The woman claims she was dismissed from her job at the moment when she needed support and funds for treatment the most.

Teyyuba Ibishova's fate is similar to that of thousands of internally displaced persons. For many years she lived in Baku, where she worked as an inspector at the Seid Shushansky Children's Art School No. 1, and the job provided her with a stable source of income, Baku TV reports.

Four years ago, she was transferred to the position of inspector at the Fizuli Museum of History and Local Lore in the city of Goradiz.

As the victim herself recounts, at first she tried to adapt to the new conditions: she lived with acquaintances and regularly attended work. However, soon the deterioration of her health due to cancer and the lack of her own housing in the region forced her to return to the capital for treatment and residence.

Upon returning to her workplace, Teyyuba Ibishova faced an unpleasant surprise. It turned out that Naila Asadli, who had been appointed museum director about five months earlier, had already issued a dismissal order. According to the woman, this decision was made behind closed doors, without any notification.

"She told me: 'Come and work in Goradiz.' I tried to explain the simple arithmetic: my salary is only 350 manats, while the cost of renting housing there ranges from 400 to 500 manats. How can I afford a rented apartment on such income, not to mention food and medicine? When I asked about the reason for dismissal, the answer shocked me: 'I decided so, I am who I am,'" the woman shared.

Not accepting the situation, the complainant appealed to the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan. According to her, the ministry, showing humanity, instructed the museum management not to dismiss the employee, considering her severe diagnosis. However, as Ibishova claims, the directive from above was ignored at the local level.

The financial side of the matter looks depressing. Teyyuba Ibishova emphasizes that she has not been paid wages for the last five months. Despite a solid work record exceeding 30 years, the final severance compensation amounted to only 143 manats.

The director of the Fizuli Museum of History and Local Lore, Naila Asadli, categorically rejected the accusations, calling them unfounded.

"Teyyuba Ibishova was relieved of her position due to prolonged absence from the workplace without valid reasons. She did not provide any medical certificates confirming the inability to perform duties due to illness. According to information from the Karabakh Regional Department of Culture, the situation was studied for a long time and thoroughly. Appropriate acts were drawn up, official notifications were sent to the employee, she was given the opportunity to write an explanation and was even offered alternative employment options. After discussing the matter with the trade union committee, the employment contract was terminated based on paragraph ç of Article 70 of the Labor Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan (gross violation of labor duties). The final settlement was made in strict accordance with the legislation," she stated.