Hungary is the latest EU county to experience unrest following the introduction of new labour laws which are controversial to say the least. The new rules mean that companies can demand workers put in up to 400 hours of overtime a year. Although it is voluntary workers are rightly concerned, they will be discriminated against if they refuse and worse still the companies potentially don’t have to make any payment for it for up to three years. That’s nearly 8 extra hours a week and no fixed indication when you will get paid for it!
Not surprisingly there has been several days of protests, and about 10,000 people joined a rally in Budapest on Sunday.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban is known for his condemnation from other EU nations, now seems content to ignore EU labour laws just like he has flouted the Emigration agreements. The government says that the reform will benefit workers but how we are not sure.
The government defends the new laws as country’s unemployment rate, at 4.2% in 2017, is one of the lowest in the EU, and because the countries population is in decline. Hungary is also experiencing a “brain drain” due to the free movement within Europe leading to young professionals deciding to work elsewhere.
Given this, we are surprised that the Government are so hostile towards immigrants who could fill the labour market needs without impinging on locals. More on this here
