Striking it rich: Guest workers paid millions in Hungary?
By January 2024, the number of guest workers in Hungary had likely reached over 100,000. The workers’ employment is diverse: some are occupied in factories, while others take on intellectual work. In many cases, their monthly salary reaches millions of forints, while in the meantime, the government would tighten their employment opportunities.
Pénzcentrum.hu analysed the data of the Central Statistical Office (KSH) in a recent article. It states that in October 2023, the number of foreign nationals employed in Hungary was 95,500, approximately 13,000 more than in the same month in 2022. This means, on average, an increase of 1,000 foreign employees per month between the two years.
Following this trend of growth, we can estimate that in January 2024, the number of foreigners working in Hungary exceeded 100,000.
At the same time, KSH figures show that the number of foreign citizens staying in Hungary has also been increasing since 2017. Asians among them are highly overrepresented: while in 2017 there were roughly 40,000 Asians in the country, by 2023 their number reached 65,000. Out of these, 18,000 were Chinese citizens.
There is also a huge increase in the number of Filipino workers in the country, who are mainly in the manufacturing, electronics, and food industries, employed by companies such as Suzuki, Audi, Bosch, and Wolt.
Some sectors guarantee guest workers over HUF 1 million salaries: these are the best-paying jobs for foreigners
Pénzcentrum examined salaries in 2022 and 2023 and collected the best- and worst-paying jobs that foreigners can take on in Hungary.
The following occupations topped the salary list in 2023:
- Air traffic controllers: 2.6 million HUF (6,650 EUR)/ month;
- Aircraft driver, flight engineer: 2.5 million HUF (6,396 EUR)/ month;
- Specialist doctors: 2.19 million HUF (5600 EUR)/month;
- Head of a unit engaged in IT and telecommunications activities: 1.6 million HUF (4093 EUR)/ month;
- Stock and financial agent, broker: 1.5 million HUF (3840 EUR)/ month.
It is interesting to note that among the best-paid jobs, there are three that are critically understaffed in Hungary: specialist doctors, general practitioners, and IT teachers outside the school system.
In contrast, kitchen helping, simple agricultural occupations, cleaning jobs, and simple construction work offer rather poor salaries. In 2023, these jobs did not reach the average gross monthly pay of HUF 300,000 (EUR 767).
It is quite obvious that the majority of the 25 professions with the worst average salary are physical jobs that do not require any kind of education. This means, as Pénzcentrum draws attention to it, that the wages of guest workers temporarily settling in our country and working in factories, couriers, and food industry companies are well below the Hungarian average wage.
The Hungarian government would limit the employment of foreigners
We reported previously that in 2024, the cap on foreign workers permitted to come to the country will be at 65 thousand.
Moreover, as you can read in detail here, the Prime Minister’s Cabinet Office would restrict guest workers from taking on employment within state institutions and state-owned companies. Hiring foreign workers in these positions will be subject to approval from the minister responsible for the respective office.
The government explained the necessity for the decision by emphasising that they prioritise the employment of Hungarian citizens over guest workers, writing,
“working or residing in Hungary for a foreign national is not an inherent right.”
The restrictions would apply to third-country citizens, as those from the European Union or the European Economic Area can freely work in Hungary. Non-EU workers also cannot become, for example, priests, engineers, dentists, pharmacists, teachers, actors, or metro, tram, and trolley bus drivers.
Read also:
- New Hungarian Golden Visa program: Orbán cabinet allows lots of foreigners to come!
- Hungary doomed to be the assembly line of Europe?
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Featured image: depositphotos.com
Source: Pénzcentrum
Before we hear from the usual suspects about how immigration is great and how Orban is a racist bigot, it behooves to highlight the fact that these are all LEGAL immigrants, not illegal aliens. A universe of difference.
Stainer. In 2017 orban said he was also opposing to guest workers. Now he has open the doors to thousands of them. It is not about what Orban said, is about what he does, he is just using the classic demagogue speech to blame anyone alse about Hungary problems but in the end the facts will also be brought up. I could make a list about all the lies and facts that this guy says, but then i will be called leftist and bla bla blah. Good luck to Hungary. It will become the country that orban swear to avoid.
Most ‘illegal’ immigration, or asylum seekers do not want to stay in Hungary, but follow where the govt. sent many convicted traffickers i.e. western Europe; the target of Fidesz’ resentment shared with Putin, Fico, Erdogan, Le Pen et al.
Immigration is used to support the govt. indirectly, while ignoring the ‘elephant in the room’, more pensioners voting for Fidesz vs decline in Hungarian working age due to previous (and ongoing) below replacement fertility and emigration, then not returning due to lack of suitable employment, schooling and health infrastructure or opportunities.
Outcome? Budget stress and pressure on (declining) state services delivery e.g. health care and more reliance upon immigration; well done.
Victor Mihaly. Orban :
“If we let ten’s of millions of migrants travel to Europe from Africa and the middle East, the young people of western Europe will know the day when they will be a Minority in there own country.”
Orban is just un-believable such a SWINGSTER in his Migration / Immigration ideas.
REMEMBER when he made this referred statement ?
1989 – Heros’ Square – remember what Victor Mihaly. Orban – he “Mouthed” about – that he has turned full circle from the words flowing out of his mouth on that day in 1989, to NOW being the aggressor in the process of the DISTILLATION of Democracy in Hungary.
Orban – just “drives” himself further into a DEAD end utca, that for him to U-turn – retract statements, opinions, that he has made over the past 14 years, exposes the massive WRONGS of his Political Ideas and Philosophy’s – Ideology’s.
Hungary – what has HE delivered us to this day ?