New research reveals Hungarian employers’ surprising views on guest workers

More than 200 employers evaluated the performance of the guest workers in Hungary in a research conducted with the cooperation of six Hungarian universities and one foreign higher education institution, and the Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BKIK). Most employers have a positive attitude towards guest workers and believe that foreign workers work well. However, they denied news that guest workers are cheaper than their Hungarian colleagues.

Lots of guest workers in Hungary

Based on the research, the number of foreign nationals working in Hungary is more than 100 thousand. Almost 40% no longer come from neighbouring countries which have large Hungarian communities (Transcarpathia in Ukraine and Vojvodina in Serbia) but from other third countries (no EEC members).

Dr Szilvia Szabó, a department head at the Budapest Metropolitan University, said the number of guest workers is high in the manufacturing, public administration, retail and construction sectors. Only 24.1% of the employers are strategic or qualified investors, which means employing guest workers is not fully linked to big enterprises. Companies employing guest workers operate as ordinary enterprises, which do not enjoy special economic or regulatory discounts, HR Portal wrote.

Dr Márta Szombathelyi Dr Konczosné from the Széchenyi István University said employers find guest workers with the help of foreign and Hungarian agencies or on digital platforms. Typically, they employ guest workers for a longer term, usually for at least 3 years. Most responders offer competitive wages to the guest workers and differentiate according to professional experience and education. Furthermore, they pay accommodation and travel allowances for their guest workers and provide opportunities for them to learn Hungarian.

Positive attitudes towards guest workers in Hungary

Concerning the attitudes of Hungarian employers towards guest workers, the balance is positive. They regard foreign workers as diligent and committed. The workers can learn their tasks quickly and carry them out honestly and reliably. The majority disagreed that foreign staff are cheaper than Hungarian, with 1/3rd of them saying that employing guest workers was rather expensive.