Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Hungary (Ratification: 1969)

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Implementation of an active employment policy. The Committee refers to its previous comments in which it requested information on the impact of the employment measures taken under the 2022 National Reform Programme (NRP), including measures to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment for youth, women, and persons belonging to other disadvantaged groups. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that its employment target is full employment. The Government indicates in this regard that Hungary approached full employment nationally, resulting in labour reserves gradually running out and the labour market becoming more tense. In addition to improving the productivity of the domestic workforce, controlled involvement of foreign workers is also indispensable for meeting the labour requirements of the investment projects required for maintaining the economic growth rate, exceeding the corresponding European rate. The Government indicates that the challenges posed to employment by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine have been successfully managed by the pursued employment policy. As a result, the labour market situation continued to improve in Hungary even during the period between the third quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2023. During the reporting period, the unemployment rate stood at 4.1 per cent in 2023. The Government indicates that, following the repeal of Chapter III of the Act on Employment and the Unemployed, the Act on Employment and Employment Supervision was adopted in 2020 to meet new labour market requirements. For both employers and workers, creating as many new jobs as possible is critical to achieving economic growth. At the same time, the Committee notes from the OECD’s 2024 Economic Survey of Hungary that women continue to face significant employment and pay gaps compared to men. In 2022, the employment rate of men was 10 percentage points higher than the one of women, and their wage 17 per cent higher. The Committee takes dues note of the information provided by the Government regarding the strengths of the labour market and employment policy outcomes. It would appreciate receiving additional information with the Government’s next report regarding how it addresses the challenges faced in relation to structural inequalities, skills gaps, regional disparities, gender discrimination, and social protection, including through inclusive policies, effective enforcement of equal treatment laws, targeted skills development, and support for vulnerable groups to ensure sustainable progress in employment outcomes. The Committee also requests the Government to continue to provide detailed, updated information on the nature, scope and impact of the employment measures taken following the adoption of the Act on Employment and Employment Supervision, including those promoting full, productive and freely chosen employment for women, thus addressing their lower employment and pay rates. It also requests updated information on employment trends, disaggregated by age and sex, as well as on the procedures for deciding on and reviewing employment measures implemented within the framework of an overall economic and social policy.

Young persons. The Committee notes that, according to ILOSTAT, the unemployment rate of young people stood at 12.8 per cent in 2023 (13.2 per cent for men and 12.3 per cent for women), and the youth who were not in employment and not in education or training (NEET) rate was 9.8 per cent (8.6 per cent for men and 11.1 per cent for women). Regarding improvements in young people’s labour market situation, the Government indicates that the Youth Guarantee Programme continues to focus on young people aged between 15 and 24, facilitating their transition from school to work. More than 183,000 young people participated in the programme from its launch at the end of 2018 until May 2023. Additionally, the Government indicates that support is provided to help prepare young people under 30, who have an entrepreneurial attitude and plan to start sole proprietorships or partnerships in Hungary, as well as registered jobseekers over 30. This support includes training and the development of knowledge and skills needed to prepare their business plans. As a result, approximately 6,200 young people launched businesses, and capital grants totalling 26 billion Hungarian forints were disbursed under two grant projects. The Committee asks the Government to furnish a comprehensive evaluation of the Youth Guarantee Programme’s effectiveness, particularly in reaching the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups such as low-educated youth, rural residents, Roma, and young women with caregiving responsibilities. The Committee requests the Government to indicate how it ensures enhanced outreach, tailored support, and improved quality of active labour market measures, including wage subsidies, entrepreneurship training, and job placement assistance, with clear outcome indicators on sustainable employment and entrepreneurial success. Furthermore, the Committee requests detailed information on the implementation and impact of the newly launched Youth Guarantee Plus programme and related initiatives targeting young persons under 30, including the extent of support for reducing NEET rates and addressing regional disparities. The Government is also requested to report on mechanisms to monitor and address barriers preventing young people from accessing these opportunities, thus fostering inclusive and equitable labour market integration for all young persons.

Persons with disabilities. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that employment promotion for persons with disabilities occurs in three forms: developmental employment, sheltered employment for rehabilitation by accredited employers, and employment in the open labour market with employer allowances and subsidies. Nearly 400 accredited employers provided rehabilitation jobs to around 31,000 individuals with disabilities annually from 2020 to 2023. This effort was supported by a budget increase from 45.6 billion forints in 2020 to 61.5 billion forints in 2023, considering the rise in the minimum wage. Various measures, including wage subsidies and rehabilitation quotas, facilitated employment in the open labour market. Since 2021, persons with disabilities have been able to work without earnings limits while receiving rehabilitation and disability benefits. The “YOU ARE VALUABLE!” programme, launched in 2020, aims to enhance employer willingness to hire persons with disabilities by raising societal awareness of their contributions. The initiative includes a portal for jobseekers and annual awards for entities excelling in promoting employment for persons with disabilities. The Committee asks the Government to indicate measures taken to implement a comprehensive, measurable national strategy aimed at achieving full, productive, and freely chosen employment for persons with disabilities. This strategy should include the effective enforcement of existing employment quotas and incentives, as well as targeted policies to eliminate barriers to inclusive employment in the open labour market. The Government is requested to indicate measures taken to collect and publish disaggregated data on employment rates, types of employment, and the impact of support measures, particularly focusing on disadvantaged groups such as those with intellectual disabilities, mental health issues, and autism. In addition, the Government is requested to: (i) indicate measures to promote awareness and societal attitudes toward persons with disabilities, ensuring that employment opportunities are accessible, equitable, and non-discriminatory; and (ii) strengthen the capacity of accredited employers to create inclusive workplaces and facilitate tailored vocational training and rehabilitation services, with mechanisms for continuous monitoring and evaluation of progress towards the Convention’s objectives. The Committee also calls for increased budget allocations and legislative reforms where necessary to align national employment policies fully with the principles of the Convention, aiming for genuine disability inclusion in the labour market at all levels.The Committee also refers to its 2024 comments on the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983 (No. 159).

Older jobseekers, workers with parental obligations and persons living in disadvantaged regions and small settlements. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on measures taken to improve the employability of persons in vulnerable situations, including those with family responsibilities, older workers and persons living in disadvantaged regions and small settlements. Regarding older jobseekers, the “EDIOP 5.1.1-CCHOP 8.1.1 Road to the Labour Market” programmes primarily focus on improving the employability of jobseekers and economically inactive individuals over 25, particularly those with low educational attainment. These programmes facilitate employment in the open labour market, enhance the efficiency of labour market instruments, and promote the transition of public employees willing to move into the business sector. Jobseekers over 50 years of age remain a key target group. In addition to labour market services, participants can access various wage subsidies, training, and entrepreneurship support. Since the programme’s launch in 2015 until the end of May 2023, over 273,000 individuals have participated, with nearly 65,000 of these being individuals over 50. With respect to the more disadvantaged regions in the country, the Government reports on the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP), which aims to stimulate local economic growth through job creation, local economic regeneration, and the development of activities tailored to the local context. Launched under Government Resolution 1403/2019, this programme seeks to alleviate economic challenges, expand local employment, and enhance retention of the rural population. With respect to workers with parental obligations, amendments to the Labour Code were made in January 2023 to introduce new opportunities for the return of parents of small children to work and grants 44 working days of parental leave for both the mother and father until a child reaches 3 years of age, provided that the employee has at least one continuous year of employment. The Committee notes that the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women is concerned at the lack of awareness among fathers and employers about these possibilities (CEDAW/C/HUN/CO/9, 2 March 2023). The Committee asks the Government to provide comprehensive and up-to-date data on the effectiveness and outcomes of active employment policies targeting vulnerable groups, including older jobseekers, women and men with family responsibilities, and persons residing in disadvantaged regions and small settlements. It calls for detailed information on the accessibility, quality, and impact of tailored programmes, with particular emphasis on how these initiatives address persistent regional disparities and support the long-term employability and job retention of targeted populations. Furthermore, the Committee requests information on measures taken to raise awareness and facilitate the uptake of parental leave benefits introduced in January 2023, given concerns expressed by the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women regarding low awareness among fathers and employers. It also asks the Government to describe steps taken to enhance social and labour market integration for vulnerable groups through coordinated support services, ensuring that all policies are inclusive, gender-sensitive, and contribute to reducing inequalities related to age, gender, family status, and geographic location.

The Roma minority. The Committee notes the Government’s efforts to reduce poverty and social exclusion for members of the Roma community, aligned with EU strategies, including through public employment measures. According to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office’s Labour Force Survey, the Roma share in public employment exceeded one fifth in both 2021 and 2022 (21 per cent and 22 per cent, respectively), while their share in total employment was around 2 per cent. The Government indicates that public employment has played a major role in mobilizing the Roma community into the labour market, and that public employment plays a much greater role in shaping the labour market position of Roma women than men. The proportion of Roma women in public employment is about three times higher than that of Roma men (9 per cent and 30 per cent). The overall employment rate of the Roma population aged 15 to 64 was 45.9 per cent in 2021, and it slightly increased to 47.3 per cent in 2022. The Committee notes that the Roma employment rate continues to lag behind that of the non-Roma population. It also notes from the OECD’s 2024 Economic Survey of Hungary that the Roma population, representing 7 per cent of the total population in Hungary, is facing a poverty rate of 33 per cent, significantly above the general population poverty rate of 12 per cent. The Committee asks the Government to indicate any efforts to eliminate persistent labour market discrimination and social exclusion affecting the Roma population, whose employment rate and poverty levels remain far below national averages. It calls on the Government to set ambitious, time-bound targets for closing the Roma-non-Roma employment and poverty gaps, accompanied by concrete measures to strengthen Roma access to quality education, vocational training, and sustainable employment opportunities outside public employment schemes. The Committee requests disaggregated statistical data by sex, age, and region on the impact of all relevant programmes, including their effectiveness in supporting the labour market integration of Roma women and youth. It further requests the Government to report on awareness-raising measures, the active involvement of Roma stakeholders in policy design and implementation, and the alignment of national actions with EU and international obligations. The Committee expects the Government to integrate regular monitoring, independent evaluation, and accountability mechanisms to ensure that labour market interventions produce tangible improvements in the socio-economic situation of Roma communities and foster equal treatment and non-discrimination in employment.

Article 3. Consultations with the social partners. The Government indicates that the comments from social partners relating to the decrees concerning the implementation of Act CXXXV of 2020 on Services and Subsidies to Promote Employment and on the Supervision of Employment were discussed with the social partners in October and December 2020. During these consultations, the parties discussed their positions regarding Government Decree 115/2021. (III. 10.) on the activities of the employment supervisory authority and Government Decree 100/2021. (II. 27.) on services and supports facilitating employment, which were about to be introduced at the time. The Consultation Forum also provided a platform for discussing the amendments to the Labour Code that came into force on 1 January 2023. The regulatory elements regarding the transposition of the EU directive on work–life balance and transparent and predictable working conditions were discussed with the social partners during negotiations in July 2022. Within the framework of the Permanent Consultation Forum of Competitive Sectors and Government, an ad hoc committee was established in the first quarter of 2023 as a forum for social consultation where stakeholders can share their comments and suggestions on labour market programmes, subsidies and other relevant employment policy documents. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide examples of cooperation with the social partners in the formulation, implementation, monitoring and review of employment policies. It also requests the Government to provide more specific information on consultations held with representatives of other segments of the economically active population, such as young persons, members of the Roma community and those working in the rural sector and the informal economy.