Hungary
Background information on industrial relations in Hungary
- 10 Nov 2003
Hungary: New provisions tackle bogus contracts<#PDF_LINK>In July 2003, the Hungarian government amended the Labour Code in an attempt to reduce the number of people performing work on the basis ofshamcivil law contracts - ie contracts not governed by labour law. While this effort has been more or less successful in fighting such disguised employment relationships, the issue has not yet been fully resolved. Furthermore, the first steps are being taken to prepare legislation on the protection of workers who areeconomically dependentyet do not qualify as employees.
- 22 Oct 2003
Hungary: Public sector unions protest against government cutback plans<#PDF_LINK>Following repeated demands by various employers’ organisations, in September 2003 the Hungarian Prime Minister ordered staff cuts of 10% in central government offices. Meanwhile, it has been rumoured that the government plans to reduce the number of public service employees by 6%. The trade unions have protested fiercely and demanded the resumption of negotiations. So far, no official government decree has been issued on staff cuts and, while unions are united in their opposition, no countrywide strikes are expected.
- 12 Sep 2003
Hungary: Trade unions reject higher education reforms plans<#PDF_LINK>In July 2003, the Hungarian Ministry of Education presented a draft plan for a reform of higher education. Trade unions representing higher education employees have rejected the proposals, which they see as opening the way to privatisation and thus threatening the public employee status of staff.
- 22 Aug 2003
Hungary: New legislation on fixed-term and part-time work in force<#PDF_LINK>In July 2003, new legislation regulating fixed-term and part-time employment came into force in Hungary. The new provisions of the Labour Code seek to transpose the EU Directives on these issues. This article highlights the main new regulations and outlines the social partners' involvement in drawing them up.
- 08 Jul 2003
Hungary: No agreement on reduction of statutory working time<#PDF_LINK>In November 2002, it was agreed that Hungary's tripartite National Interest Reconciliation Council (OÉT) would launch negotiations on the reduction of working time, with a view to reaching an agreement by June 2003. However, by the time of the meeting of the OÉT held on 25 June no decision had been reached on the trade unions' demands for statutory reduction of working time, and negotiations appear to have been postponed for now.
- 30 Jun 2003
Hungary: Social dialogue on National Development Plan<#PDF_LINK>As part of its preparations for joining the European Union in 2004, Hungary delivered its first National Development Plan, covering the period 2004-6, in spring 2003. This article examines the partnership approach pursued by the government in drawing up the Plan and the positions and input of trade unions and employers' organisations.
- 12 Jun 2003
Hungary: Major public sector union holds congress<#PDF_LINK>SZEF, the dominant trade union organisation in the Hungarian public service and civil administration sector (and arguably the country's largest union confederation) held its third congress in May 2003. The congress overcame a leadership crisis and adopted a programme for the coming five-year period.
- 12 Jun 2003
Hungary: Healthcare employees protest against privatisation of hospitals<#PDF_LINK>The Hungarian government has resolved to reform the healthcare system radically, and a bill submitted in March 2003 will allow hospitals and surgeries to operate as business companies with private investors. The Hungarian Chamber of Physicians (MOK), which originally opposed the bill, eventually reached a compromise with the government whereby doctors would become share-owners in the new service provider companies through a preferential scheme. However, the Democratic Union of Health and Social Care Employees (EDDSZ) totally refuses globalised healthcareand any termination of the public employee status of healthcare workers. To support its goals, EDDSZ has staged demonstration and petitioned parliament.
- 22 May 2003
Hungary: Increasing emphasis on equal opportunity and gender issues<#PDF_LINK>Hungary's socialist-liberal government, which came to office in 2002, has put greater emphasis on equal opportunity and gender mainstreaming issues than its predecessors. This feature examines the new institutional framework for equality and the 2003-6 National Action Plan on ensuring equal opportunities between men and women.
- 14 Apr 2003
Hungary: 2002 Annual Review for Hungary<#PDF_LINK>This record reviews 2002's main developments in industrial relations in Hungary.
- 25 Feb 2003
Hungary: Dispute over interest rates<#PDF_LINK>Late 2002 and early 2003 saw a clash between MGYOSZ, Hungary's largest employers’ organisation, and the head of the Hungarian National Bank over the country's interest rate policy. The National Bank insists on its priority and statutory responsibility to curb high inflation and thus defends keeping interest rates high, while MGYOSZ argues that a strong forint endangers the competitiveness of Hungary and also threatens thousands of jobs. The other social partners and politicians have become involved in the debate.
- 11 Feb 2003
Hungary: Growing discontent among employees of state-owned public utilities<#PDF_LINK>In early 2003, employees of Hungarian state-owned public utility and transport enterprises are demanding above-average pay increases, having been excluded from a 50% pay rise for public service sector employees introduced by the government in 2002. The government insists on wage restraint, as laid down in its budgetary plan for 2003, but trade unions representing groups such as bus and postal workers have organised industrial action, held demonstrations and submitted petitions, in support of higher wage rises.
- 15 Jan 2003
Hungary: National tripartite agreement signed on 2003 wage increase recommendations and minimum wage<#PDF_LINK>In late 2002, Hungary's national tripartite body reached an agreement on wage increase recommendations for sectoral and company-level bargaining in 2003, and on the level of the statutory minimum wage. The agreement recommends a 4.5% wage increase in real terms, and provides for the statutory minimum wage to be frozen at the current level. The parties, in principle, also agreed to support the reduction of working time in the long run and to begin negotiations over the issue with a view to reaching an agreement by June 2003.