Are there mass layoffs at İRİA?

Recently, claims have spread regarding successive personnel changes and mass layoffs at the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (İRİA).

ICT expert Osman Gündüz wrote about this on his social media account.

According to him, a significant number of professional and qualified employees, including department heads, have been observed leaving the institution in a short period. It is also reported that some have had their applications accepted: “Today I learned that Kamran Aghayev, head of the Data Management department at İRİA, one of the professionals recognized not only in the country but also globally, has resigned from his position at the institution. Frankly, it's hard to understand what's happening at İRİA. A few days ago, it was reported that a new head was appointed to the HR department of this institution. Interestingly, Rashad Khaligov, who previously held the position of deputy, also left his job here.

If a team is constantly breaking up, professionals are leaving, but at the same time, measurable results are not visible, it means that something is not going right. This is no longer just a personnel issue – it's a matter of strategic focus, management model, and priorities.

İRİA should be one of the key institutions in the country's innovation policy. Therefore, what is happening here is not just an internal administrative process but an issue that affects the overall pace of the country's future technological development.”

We contacted the Innovation and Digital Development Agency regarding the matter. In response to our inquiry, while Kamran Aghayev's departure was confirmed, it was stated that there were no mass layoffs: “Currently, no mass layoff process is being carried out at İRİA, and no negative structural changes are occurring. On the contrary, within the framework of the implementation of the “Action Plan for Accelerating Digital Development in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026–2028” approved by the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, efforts are continuing to strengthen the institutional potential of the Agency, including the attraction of professional and qualified personnel.

At the same time, we would like to note that İRİA's personnel policy is always implemented in accordance with professionalism, effectiveness, and project priorities, and processes are always approached with sensitivity.

Regarding Kamran Aghayev, we state that during his tenure at the Agency, he made valuable contributions to the implementation of a number of important initiatives in the fields of data management and artificial intelligence. Kamran Aghayev worked at the Agency as an additional place of employment and left the Agency based on his personal decision. The continuation of cooperation opportunities between Kamran Aghayev and İRİA within the framework of various projects and initiatives in the future is not excluded.”

It should be noted that K. Aghayev was appointed director of the Data Management department at İRİA in June 2023.