Government tightening in the employment of guest workers – what will the new draft regulation bring?

The arrival of guest workers to Hungary has been steadily increasing in recent years, especially from Asian countries. According to KSH data, in July 2024, nearly 100,000 foreign citizens worked in Hungary, of which 78,000 came from third countries. Although this number has decreased somewhat compared to the peak at the beginning of the year, the demand for foreign labor in the manufacturing industry, especially the automotive industry and battery production, is still significant.

The government’s draft decree would introduce three key strictures: they would unify the conditions for issuing work permits, tighten the obligations of employers regarding the employment of Hungarian workers, and limit the role of private employment agencies. However, intermediaries are not afraid of a serious downturn, since companies can still directly employ foreign workers, which ensures the operation of the system, at best in a different form.

The goal of the draft is clear: the protection of the Hungarian workforce and the reduction of abuses. However, the government’s challenges include regaining the trust of the Hungarian population, who often feel the presence of guest workers threatening.