Hungary
Background information on industrial relations in Hungary
- 23 Dec 2010
Hungary: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Metal sector – HungaryThe aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the metal sector in Hungary. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining.
- 01 Nov 2010
Hungary: Hungary holds first meeting of its labour consultation council since election in MayHungarian Minister of National Economy György Matolcsy has convened the National Interest Reconciliation Council (OÉT), a tripartite body representing employees’ and employers’ associations and the government, for the first time since the new government came to power in May. The council has not met for four months and the trade unions have been urging the government to convene a meeting, as many relevant changes in labour-related legislation have already taken place.
- 01 Nov 2010
Hungary: Labour authority fines Hankook for obstructing unionThe Hungarian Labour Inspectorate (OMMF) has fined Hankook Tyre Magyarorszag Kft. for obstructing the activities of the Federation of Trade Unions of the Chemical, Energy and Allied Workers. Although the fine is symbolic (€3,600), the company has once again proven its unwillingness to accept Hungarian labour relation practices and to cooperate with trade unions. The company has been in Hungary since 2007 and has been fined by different authorities several times.
- 08 Oct 2010
Hungary: Hungary: Posted workersIn Hungary, the current situation of posted workers, in terms of protection by law and collective agreements, reflects the case and concerns of a country that is an “exporter” of posted workers rather than an importer, as the important differences were laid out in the 1999 EIRO study. In addition, the most important target countries are those which have specific legislation for posted workers (immanently Germany and Austria). At the same time, since 1 May 2004 Hungary has been a Member of the European Union with the important obligation of fully applying the provisions of employment of workers posted to Hungary.
- 04 Oct 2010
Hungary: Changes to Hungarian Labour Code in 2010Important changes have been made to the Hungarian Labour Code in 2010. The outgoing liberal left government changed the rules on subcontracting workers, childcare provisions and penalties for illegal work. The casual employment booklet was also abolished. The new centre-right government, elected in May, amended the employment rules for casual and seasonal workers which took effect in August. It has also been announced that a new Labour Code will be brought in later this year.
- 10 Sep 2010
Hungary: Rail lines reopen to passenger traffic and new railway management appointedFive railway lines closed by the previous government have reopened for passenger traffic and more are to be reopened by the end of 2010. One of the new government’s aims is to increase the mobility of the rural population. A strategy for restructuring public transport has been submitted to parliament and an agreement signed between the government and the Trade Union of Hungarian Railway Workers. A new CEO has been appointed to run the Hungarian state-owned rail network MÁV.
- 01 Sep 2010
Hungary: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Inland water transport – HungaryThe aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the inland water transport industry in Hungary. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining.
- 07 Jun 2010
Hungary: Hungary – Developments in social partner organisations: employer organisationsThere are nine 'peak' employer organisations in Hungary, all of which participate in national level tripartite interest reconciliation. Their development has been facilitated by the institutional development of social dialogue forums and – as in the case of trade unions – funding from the government and the EU. Employer organisations lobby in economic, social and labour law legislation and directly negotiate with the government. On a sectoral level, further development efforts are needed to ensure collective bargaining, which would be the genuine function of employers’ associations.
- 28 May 2010
Hungary: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Catering sector – HungaryThe aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the contract catering sector in Hungary. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining.
- 17 May 2010
Hungary: Trade union strategies to recruit new groups of workers – HungaryTrade union membership has been declining rapidly since 1990, partly due to Hungary’s return to democracy and partly due to the transformation of the former state-owned economy. It is estimated that trade union membership in 2007 was around 500,000, excluding pensioners, and the density rate had decreased to around 15%. Fear of loss of employment, employers’ union breaking strategies and the fragmented nature of the trade unions do not help unionisation.
- 27 Apr 2010
Hungary: Addressing the gender pay gap: Government and social partner actions – HungaryAs measuring the gender pay gap has its own difficulties, in Hungary the establishment of an autonomous (adequately representative) database - set up within the framework of an EQUAL project - and the abolition of structural and discrimination factors based on it, is a positive phenomenon. In addition to the creation of the Equal Treatment Authority, actively operating working bodies have been set up to meet the EU ROADMAP targets. Despite some success, there is yet a long way to go to eradicate the gender pay gap, not least creating awareness of the issue among the stakeholders.
- 23 Apr 2010
Hungary: National wage agreement reached for 2010The annual national wage negotiation ended in an agreement as early as 1 December 2009. This followed the early conclusion of tax legislation changes. The agreement stipulates that the minimum wage be increased and the guaranteed minimal wage for skilled workers be maintained. The impact of changes in taxation on net wages, however, depends on actual wage levels; thus, in order to orient lower level wage negotiations, the agreement indicates the necessary nominal rises to maintain the real value of wages.
- 19 Apr 2010
Hungary: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Footwear industry – HungaryThe aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the footwear industry in Hungary. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining.
- 16 Mar 2010
Hungary: Corporate social responsibility before and after economic crisisThe concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been gradually spreading in Hungary since its introduction in the 1990s. Nevertheless, it still had not been fully embedded in company culture when the current economic crisis began in 2008. Despite the implementation of some new and creative practices, in general the progress of CSR in Hungary has failed to meet the expectations of many stakeholders, including most importantly those of employees.
- 16 Mar 2010
Hungary: Study examines effectiveness of territorial employment pactsTo obtain a picture of the operation of Hungarian employment relationships, the National Employment Foundation carried out a study to assess the future of employment pacts. The research followed the publication of numerous European literature reviews on employment pacts, the announcement of related government tenders and of a large-scale educational project targeting the social partners. This article summarises the main research findings and the related debate.
- 19 Feb 2010
Hungary: Hungary: EIRO Annual Review – 2008The referendum on reforming the health insurance system was the most remarkable political event in 2008, which resulted in the break-up of the coalition and the forming of a minority government. As far as their role of the social partners is concerned, the government’s initiative to establish the Economic Reconciliation Forum (Gazdasági Egyeztető Fórum, GEF) was an important development. As GEF is a parity committee between the government and the business sector, its establishment constitutes a break with the tradition of tripartite institutions. The second half of the year was marked by the unfolding financial and economic crisis, which was addressed by a series of top level negotiations between the social partners and other actors, and triggered a number of demonstrations and strikes.
- 17 Feb 2010
Hungary: Railway workers strike over budget cuts and line closuresFor the first time since 2000, the railway trade unions took part in a warning strike in October 2009 over planned railway line closures and budget cuts. At the end of the summer, the government announced a harmonisation of railway and public transport timetables, the closure of less-used secondary railway lines and a reduced budget for the Hungarian State Railways. After several rounds of negotiations, four of the five trade unions and the government reached agreement in November.
- 10 Feb 2010
Hungary: Hungary: Individual disputes at the workplace – alternative disputes resolutionThis article gives an account of the operation of the Alternative Dispute Resolution in Hungary.
- 05 Feb 2010
Hungary: Ombudsman issues results of strike law reviewIn order to better enforce the constitutional right to strike and to develop strike law practices, Hungary’s Ombudsman launched a comprehensive review of the Strike Act in the autumn of 2008. The reason behind this initiative was the experience of recent strikes and related public and professional debates, which highlighted the obsoleteness and imprecision of relevant rules. The results of the review, which lasted almost a year, were presented at a conference in October 2009.
- 05 Feb 2010
Hungary: Volán bus unions conclude agreement with governmentTrade unions active in long-distance Volán bus companies have signed a framework agreement with the State Asset Management Company, representing the government. Under the agreement, industrial relations conflict must be averted up until the end of 2010. To this end, the government extended the company’s monopoly for providing public transport services until 2016. Potential competitors of Volán companies mounted a strong attack against the government’s decision.
- 21 Jan 2010
Hungary: Hungary: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations – Personal services sectorThe aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the personal services sector in Hungary. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining.
- 12 Jan 2010
Hungary: Representativeness of the European social partner organisations: Civil aviation – HungaryThe aim of this representativeness study is to identify the respective national and supranational actors (i.e. trade unions and employer organisations) in the field of industrial relations in the civil aviation industry in Hungary. In order to determine their relative importance in the sector’s industrial relations, this study will, in particular, focus on their representational quality as well as on their role in collective bargaining.