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10 October, 2011
From the International Metalworkers’ Federation website
Hungarian unions demonstrated on 1 October in front of the Parliament in Budapest, rallying against a proposed new regressive labour code.
The proposed bill includes serious roll-backs in worker's rights. It makes it easier to terminate employees, cuts down on the number of vacation days and allows employers to vary work schedules between 36 and 44 hours per week.
See the 30 September ICEM letter supporting the action here.
Photo: IMF
The government wants the state to withdraw from the regulation of the labor market. Not only state-imposed "bureaucratic" measures, but collective bargaining rights would be removed. IMF affiliate VASAS rejects the proposed legislation, saying it would pose a serious threat to the basic rights of Hungarian workers and their social protection.
Furthermore the proposed amendments would be incompatible with, as well as being below the social standards laid down in the European Social Charter.
At the request of Hungarian and European trade union leaders László Andor, European Commissioner responsible for employment and social affairs met the presidents of six Hungarian trade union confederations and Bernadette Ségol, secretary general of the European Trade Union Confederation on September 2. The union leaders informed the Commissioner about their objections, stressing that if the Parliament adopts the present proposal, it will seriously threaten the basic rights and social situation of Hungarian workers, and clash with the standards set in the European Social Charter and the democratic practice of European countries.
On 12 September, thousands of union protesters took to the streets around the Hungarian Parliament to express their opposition against the proposed amendment of the Labour Code.
A petition signed by four Hungarian national union confederations has been sent to all Hungarian members of parliament:
"You are pushing the employees into a downgraded, subjugated situation. Should you vote in favour of this bill, it would mean falling salaries, increased working time, that employees will be left unprotected, and that protection of the collective agreements will cease. It will leave the workers to the mercy of the employers, and forced agreements will be brought on."
The IMF lends its full support to the Hungarian metalworkers in their struggle.