Kazakh Guest Workers Reflect on their Time in Hungary
An increasing number of Asian guest workers are arriving in Hungary due to the labor shortage, reports Little Land. These workers are not paid less than Hungarians, ensuring they do not lose their jobs. The portal recently interviewed a Kazakh couple who shared their experiences of working and living in Hungary.
Dilnoza Yusupova and Eldar Mannapov, aged 39 and 38, respectively, were living in Turkistan, Kazakhstan, until a year and a half ago. Dilnoza, who holds degrees in law and customs administration, used to sell children’s clothes, while her husband worked in a furniture factory. However, the income was not consistent, leading them to live day-to-day. After seeing a job advertisement from Pannon-Work in Hungary on Instagram, they applied and were hired to work for an automotive company in the press component industry, completing three shifts a week.
The Kazakh couple each earn a net monthly income of HUF 350,000 (approximately EUR 890), of which they spend about HUF 200,000 (EUR 500) and send over EUR 1,000 back home to support their relatives and build a family house. They expressed contentment with their life in Hungary, citing a wider variety of goods and the opportunity to travel, having visited destinations like Germany, Lake Balaton, and the sea in Slovenia.
Pannon-Work Zrt., a Hungarian recruitment and temporary employment agency, has been actively involved in bringing foreign guest workers to Hungary since 2017. Initially working with Ukrainians and Serbs, the agency now collaborates with individuals from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Beatrix Sarkadyné Pápai, responsible for international recruitment at Pannon-Work, emphasized that foreign workers are not paid less than Hungarians, ensuring equal pay in accordance with the law.
The economic situation in Kazakhstan has led many individuals to seek work abroad, as described by the Kazakh couple. Despite the challenging conditions in their homeland, they plan to stay in Hungary for the duration of their agreed term before returning home. With a growing number of Asian guest workers in Hungary, efforts are being made to ensure fair wages and working conditions for all individuals, irrespective of their nationality.
