Hungary to halt worker visas for Philippines, Georgia, Armenia

Hungary’s government will stop issuing worker visas to employees from the Philippines, Georgia and Armenia from June 5, a government spokeswoman has said, calling the move a first step towards regulating the inflow of guest workers, Reuters reports.

Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s Tisza Party, which ended right-wing leader Viktor Orban’s 16-year rule in an April 12 election landslide, has said it would stop issuing visas to workers from outside the European Union from June.

Government spokeswoman Vanda Szondi said the authorities are tightening employment opportunities for guest workers over concerns that they are pushing down local wages.

“Government to tighten employment opportunities for guest workers over what it says are concerns they are pushing down local salaries,” Szondi told a media briefing.

According to official statistics, foreign workers account for just 2% of Hungary’s workforce, although some sectors such as services and manufacturing remain heavily reliant on migrant labour.

The government also plans to change a decree allowing manpower companies to import workers through a simplified procedure from the Philippines, Georgia and Armenia starting June 5.

Employees already in Hungary will still be able to apply for extensions, while applications already submitted will be assessed.

Officials described the reforms as a first step in a broader long-term policy shift.

However, some of Hungary’s largest foreign investors have warned that a complete halt to the inflow of guest workers could negatively impact companies and the wider economy.

By Vafa Guliyeva