Kaposvár club faces backlash after banning Turkish workers

A nightclub in Kaposvár, Hungary, has stirred controversy by banning Turkish guest workers, citing safety concerns for its employees and patrons. The PARK74 club announced the decision on Facebook, claiming that some Turkish workers had repeatedly harassed other guests.

Reasons behind the ban

As we wrote on Monday, the Facebook post stated, “Several complaints from the city and our own observations have shown that they [Turkish workers] fail to behave appropriately. PARK74 aims to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone, but this seems incompatible with the behaviour of some guest workers.” The management emphasised the importance of prioritising safety, which they claim led to this decision. The announcement was also shared in Turkish to ensure clarity (find it below).

Reports of misconduct

PARK74’s legal representative, Richárd Takács, told Telex that the influx of Turkish workers began in the spring of 2024 due to a significant investment by the Turkish company Şişecam, which is building its first European glass packaging plant in Kaposvár. This HUF 73 billion (EUR 177 million) project has attracted hundreds of Turkish workers to the area.

Initially, their presence at the club caused no issues, but complaints started last fall. Takács mentioned incidents of inappropriate behaviour, including throwing glasses at bar staff, unsolicited physical contact with women, and offensive remarks. These incidents prompted the club to install a metal detector at the entrance for the first time in over a decade. The situation escalated on a recent Saturday evening when a Turkish patron allegedly climbed into the DJ booth and threatened the DJ. When staff intervened, the individual’s friends surrounded the bouncer, creating a tense and intimidating atmosphere.

park 74 kaposvár turkish guest workers ban (1)
Photo: Facebook/PARK 74 Kaposvár

Legal and ethical questions

When questioned about the legality and morality of the ban, Takács stated, “The safety of our employees and guests, and their right to enjoy themselves peacefully in their hometown, takes precedence over any rights of guest workers.” He also explained that entry restrictions would be enforced based on observable traits and, if necessary, by checking photo IDs.

Mixed reactions and official responses

The announcement has sparked a range of reactions. Many social media users supported the club’s decision, applauding its commitment to safety. Others, however, raised concerns about discrimination. The Hungarian Helsinki Committee criticised the blanket ban as discriminatory and suggested alternative measures. They stated, “While it’s commendable to protect guests and prevent harassment, this should be done through clear rules and individual sanctions, not by targeting an entire nationality.”

Meanwhile, local police reported no increase in crime or public safety issues related to Turkish workers in Kaposvár. The authorities confirmed that no formal complaints or reports regarding incidents at the club had been filed recently. The debate highlights the tension between ensuring safety and avoiding discrimination, a challenge that has gained visibility in light of Hungary’s increasing reliance on foreign labour.

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4 Comments

  1. Guest workers are not going to want to spend their nights confined to a barracks. They want to go out on the town like everyone else. These lonely frustrated Turkish guys are looking for Hungarian female companionship and they might become aggressive. It doesn’t read very pleasant for locals. Clubs like that need more than one bouncer and it would help if the police show up quickly and deal with them strictly. If you make trouble your work permit should be quickly revoked and back to Turkey you go. Who want’s to spend an evening there if you have to deal with what is described.

  2. No woman needs to tolerate “unsolicited physical contact” from anyone when having a fun night out in a club. I fully understand and support the decision of the club to ban this badly behaving group. Molesters should be reported to police and appropriate action taken.

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