Government Plans to Simplify Hiring Process for Foreign Workers on Major Projects
In a bid to accelerate the completion of two significant infrastructural projects in Hungary, the Paks 2 nuclear power plant and the Budapest-Belgrade railway line, the Hungarian government has proposed to simplify the employment process for guest workers.
The initiative aims to meet the unique labor requirements of these projects by allowing primarily Russian and Chinese nationals, respectively, to work under simplified procedures.
According to reports from Népszava, a legislative amendment currently before the parliament, introduced formally by the Business Development Committee but understood to be backed by the government, would facilitate third-country nationals' employment. This move is seen as crucial for ensuring the timely availablity of specialized workforce for the companies involved in the construction of Paks 2 and the Budapest-Belgrade railway.
The proposed changes would allow for the issuance of employment-based residence permits valid for up to five years under a simplified application process. This marks a significant extension from the current immigration law, which caps such permits at a maximum of three years, or until the project's completion, whichever occurs first. Additionally, employees working on these projects could apply for residence permits for their family members as well, also through a simplified procedure.
While the legislative proposal does not specify the nationalities of the guest workers, it is widely understood that the workforce expansion for the Paks 2 project would predominantly involve Russian citizens, whereas the Budapest-Belgrade railway project would see a significant number of Chinese workers. This approach aims to address the specific labor needs these expansive projects demand efficiently and effectively.