Balogh, Katalin

In the autumn of 2005, the Research Institute of Economics and Enterprises of the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Magyar Gazdasági és Iparkamara Gazdaság- és Vállalkozáselemzo Intézet, GVI [1]) carried out a survey among companies to assess the employers’ satisfaction with the abilities and knowledge of apprentices and young skilled workers at the start of their careers. [1] http://www.gvi.hu/

Results of a survey conducted among civil servants in six Hungarian ministries were published recently. The survey aimed to examine to what extent the type of organisational culture influences efficiency levels in the public administration sector. It also aimed to test a hypothesis – based on the theory of ‘new public management’ (NPM) – that claims that the level of efficiency in goal and innovation-oriented organisations is usually higher than in hierarchical and bureaucratic institutions.

In 2001, Hungary carried out its first survey on the state of occupational health and safety in the workplace. The survey aimed to assess working conditions in order to promote the Hungarian National Programme of Occupational Safety and Health for improving quality of work and life, and to establish a database on working conditions that would be comparable with EU data. The results reveal that, with regard to physical factors, such as noise, vibration, temperature, uncomfortable working posture, heavy mental and/or physical workload, the proportion of employees affected is similar to that in the EU. However, in relation to exposure to chemicals, Hungary reports more than twice the exposure rate of the EU average.

In 2001, Hungary carried out its first survey on the state of occupational health and safety in the workplace. The survey aimed to assess working conditions in order to promote the Hungarian National Programme of Occupational Safety and Health for improving quality of work and life; and to establish a database on working conditions that would be comparable with EU data. The results reveal that, with regard to physical factors, such as noise, vibration, temperature, uncomfortable working posture, heavy mental and/or physical workload, the proportion of employees affected is similar to that in the EU. However, in relation to exposure to chemicals, Hungary reports more than twice the exposure rate of the EU average.

A 2004 study, A részmunkaidős foglalkoztatás elterjesztése és az éves munkaidő-elszámolás alkalmazásának lehetőségei a magyar gazdaságban [1] (/Possibilities of expanding part-time work and the use of annualisation of working time in the Hungarian economy/ ), investigated how an increase in part-time work and in calculating working time over the period of a year would affect the Hungarian economy. The study sought to identify current obstacles preventing a more widespread use of these flexible forms of employment. [1] http://www.ofakht.hu/muh/p/p208.html

In the first six months of 2005, the National Labour Inspectorate (OMMF) [1] carried out inspections and assessments at more than 13,000 premises, and imposed a 284,000 HUF (around €1,130) penalty on those who were found guilty of disobeying the relevant work safety regulations. According to the Inspectorate’s findings, almost 26,000 enterprises had unsafe equipment and tools, and 11,000 companies were penalised because of the unsatisfactory state of their workshops. [1] http://www.ommf.gov.hu/index.php?akt_menu=78&bemut=3

Legislation in Hungary stipulates the need for an occupational safety information service, operated by the state. The Labour Safety Act (Act XCIII of 1993) (in Hungarian) [1] sets out that the state must: ‘e) provide an annual report of the national economy’s occupational safety, make the statements public, and develop and organise an occupational safety information service’ (14. §(1)) [1] http://hu.osha.eu.int/legislation/legislation.stm

The European Commission adopted its Employment Guidelines (136Kb; pdf) [1] in 2003. The fifth of its 10 specific guidelines seeks to increase labour supply and promote active ageing. According to the guidelines, employment of the 55-64 age group must be increased from 40% to 50% by 2010; in Hungary, it currently stands at 25.6%. [1] http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2003/l_197/l_19720030805en00130021.pdf