Unions oppose overtime rules in Hungary


Government plans to increase the limit on the number of overtime hours that workers can be asked to work from the current 250 to 400 a year have been condemned by the unions. 


They also reject the plan that overtime hours should be calculated on a three-year rather than an annual basis. 


Employers argue that with labour shortages more overtime is essential, but the unions fear that workers could be pressured into working extra hours and that, under the three-year arrangement, some might never be paid. 


MSZSZ, the largest union grouping, said the government had bypassed the unions, and that the changes were “solely for the benefit of business”, while in a joint statement two other confederations — LIGA and MOSZ — said the measures proved that “investors dictate government policy”.