Hungarian government paves the way for hundreds of thousands of guest workers

From 18 May, individuals working on the Paks II project and the Budapest-Belgrade railway construction will no longer require labour permits. However, it is necessary to provide credible evidence of the required professional qualifications and educational background for performing their respective duties.

This relaxation coincides with the government’s submission of a draft law to the parliament. This concerns the employment framework for foreign workers in Hungary, writes Portfolio.

Special projects

A government decree has been published amending the regulation on special rules concerning the employment of third-country nationals in Hungary during the state of emergency. These are the most important changes.

For individuals working on the Paks II investment and the Budapest-Belgrade railway project, the responsible governmental office will no longer act as an authority for issuing permits. This applies to both the main contractors and subcontractors involved in these projects. Furthermore, from now on, in the case of these specific projects, the main contractors and subcontractors involved are considered “priority employers.”

In addition, employees from third-countries will no longer require a permit from the main contractors and subcontractors to work on these projects in Hungary. This benefit was previously only applicable to citizens of neighbouring countries. However, those affected must provide credible evidence of their professional qualifications and educational background necessary for performing their labour.

Guest workers to face new conditions

The Hungarian government also submitted a new bill to Parliament on Tuesday. This concerns the employment regulations for foreign workers in Hungary and will likely come into effect on 1 November.

Among others, the proposal defines the criteria for approving the employment of foreign workers. According to this, a foreign worker can only work in Hungary as a guest worker if they come from specific third countries, in a specified number, and in occupations not excluded for them by the detailed employment regulations.

It also establishes the rules for issuing and extending the unified (residence and labour) permit. Accordingly, the so-called guest-worker residence permit entitles the holder to stay in Hungary for a fixed period of more than 90 days within a period of one hundred and eighty days, but not more than two years. It may be extended for a maximum of one year, solely for the purpose of employment under the proposal.

In the justification of the proposal, they specify that a guest worker can stay in Hungary only until the employment relationship with the employer exists, and until the duration specified in the guest worker residence permit. Furthermore, it stipulates that the employer must make every effort to ensure that the guest worker can leave the territory of the European Union no later than the last day of validity of their residence permit.

„The purpose of the bill is to maintain Hungarian labour market processes in a manageable and regulated framework. This is important because there have already been and will continue to be numerous investments in the country that collectively require the employment of hundreds of thousands of people,”

said Sándor Czomba, State Secretary for Employment Policy.

Source: Portfolio