Government to Strengthen Guest Worker Regulations
The Hungarian government is considering implementing stricter regulations on the employment of migrant workers in order to protect local workers and their families, as announced by the Ministry for National Economy (NGM).
A draft regulation aimed at safeguarding Hungarian jobs and creating training opportunities for job seekers will soon undergo a public consultation. The goal is to increase the mobilization of the domestic labor reserve and boost employment opportunities for Hungarian workers.
The proposed draft suggests that sanctions related to work permits may become more uniform. For instance, an employer who has been fined for labor or labor protection violations within the past year may have their work permit application rejected. Additionally, permits could be denied if an employer unreasonably refuses to hire Hungarian workers or acts in bad faith during mediation procedures.
To prevent potential abuses, the draft will prohibit private recruitment agencies from recruiting third-country nationals from outside the EU. Instead, the focus will be on increasing domestic employment by providing specialized training programs that align with the needs of the labor market.
The new scheme aims to simplify the training selection process while offering additional support to job seekers and public sector employees. The government emphasized that the protection of Hungarian workers and jobs is a top priority, and foreign workers will only be employed when Hungarian workers are not available to fill positions.
The NGM reiterated that the government will continue to regulate the employment of guest workers with strict guidelines to safeguard Hungarian jobs, workers, and families. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing regulation.
