Hungary has stopped issuing work visas to citizens of the Philippines, Georgia and Armenia under new rules that took effect on Friday, as the government moves to tighten controls on guest workers.
Government spokeswoman Vanda Szondi said the measures are intended to regulate the inflow of foreign workers amid concerns that they may put downward pressure on local wages.
The restrictions follow the election victory of Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s Tisza party, which ended the 16-year rule of Viktor Orban in a landslide vote on April 12. The party had pledged to stop issuing visas to workers from outside the European Union from June.
Under the changes, the government has amended a decree that previously allowed manpower agencies to recruit workers from the Philippines, Georgia and Armenia through a simplified procedure.
Foreign workers already in Hungary can continue to apply for permit extensions, while visa applications submitted before the new rules came into force will still be processed.
Szondi described the measures as the first step in a broader, long-term plan to regulate guest worker employment.
According to official statistics, foreign workers account for about 2% of Hungary’s workforce. However, industries such as manufacturing and services rely heavily on overseas labour.
Some of Hungary’s largest foreign investors have warned that a complete halt to the inflow of guest workers could hurt businesses and the wider economy.
Source: Reuters
