Protest against victimisation

Hungarian unions are protesting against legislation under which striking teachers must work for months with the threat of dismissal hanging over them.

Teachers in Hungary have been engaged in industrial action throughout much of 2022, calling for higher pay and better conditions, and several have been dismissed under recent legislation that effectively bans strikes in education.

However, they now face new rules allowing dismissals — for what the government considers to be “illegal” strike action — to be delayed until the end of the school year in August. Previously, the authorities had to act within 15 days.

Robert Zlati, head of the MASZSZ Union confederation, said the change, which leaves striking teachers facing the threat of dismissal for months, has been “clearly prepared for the purpose of blackmail and intimidation”.