Hungary to welcome 160 guest workers from the Philippines to ease industrial labour shortage

Hungary is set to bring in 160 skilled welders from the Philippines to address a critical shortage in the country’s industrial workforce. The initiative is a joint programme between DEKRA Expert Kft., a leading provider of professional training, and Menton Jobs Kft., a company experienced in recruiting international labour.

Skills gap threatens Hungarian industries, workers from the Philippines needed

The lack of qualified welders poses a serious challenge for sectors crucial to the Hungarian economy, including manufacturing, vehicle production, metalwork, machinery, construction, and logistics, Index writes.

Together, these sectors account for over a third of Hungary’s GDP, with more than half of the country’s goods exports linked to them.

Estimates suggest the country faces a shortfall of at least 3,000–5,000 welders, a problem mirrored across the European Union, where 23 member states have classified welding as a shortage occupation.

“Over the past decades, it has become clear that domestic vocational training alone cannot replace retiring or emigrating welders. Targeted recruitment of foreign professionals is now essential,” said Péter Ódor, Sales Director at Menton Jobs.

New selection in the Philippines and training programme ensures quality workforce

The programme introduces a rigorous, multi-stage selection process. Candidates are personally interviewed in Manila to assess their welding qualifications, experience, work ethic, and English language proficiency. Selected applicants will then participate in an 80-hour, practice-oriented training in Hungary, organised by DEKRA Expert, concluding with a TÜV Rheinland certification.

“This ensures that Hungarian companies receive professionals who are fully prepared to meet local standards and can integrate smoothly into the workplace,” Ódor added.

Unlike common assumptions, hiring from abroad (from the Philippines, among others) is not primarily about lower wages. When factoring in housing and other benefits, the cost is comparable to domestic staff. Companies participating in the programme are primarily seeking certified, reliable welders to fill urgent vacancies that cannot be addressed through local recruitment.

Long-term benefits for companies and national economy

The programme is designed for initial two-year employment contracts, which can be extended. According to DEKRA Expert, the selected welders from the Philippines are among the most stable workforce groups globally, with turnover rates of around 1% compared to 20–30% in Hungary’s domestic welding sector.

“The programme offers businesses more than just additional staff: it provides multiple layers of assurance that these professionals are highly qualified, reliable, and capable of contributing immediately. If successful, this model could be expanded to other high-demand professions in Hungary,” said Lajos Tornyi, Operational Director at DEKRA Expert.

The first recruitment round is expected to start in April and May, with the full selection and training process taking around four months, including all administrative procedures.

If you missed it, here’s what both prime ministerial candidates promise guest workers in Hungary:

• Will guest workers stay in Hungary after the election? What Orbán and Magyar promise