Hungary has announced a significant policy change, and it will no longer issue work visas to citizens of three countries. According to a report from Reuters, Hungarian government spokeswoman Wanda Szondi stated that starting Friday, work visas will be suspended for individuals from the Philippines, Georgia, and Armenia.
This decision marks a first step toward regulating the influx of guest workers. During a media briefing, Szondi explained that the government is tightening employment opportunities for guest workers due to concerns that their presence is driving down wages for local workers.
Official figures indicate that foreign workers currently make up only 2 percent of Hungary’s workforce, but certain sectors, such as services and manufacturing, heavily rely on them.
The government plans to amend the decree that previously allowed manpower companies to recruit workers from these three countries through a simplified process, with the changes taking effect on Friday.
Existing employees will still be able to apply for visa extensions, and applications that have already been submitted will be reviewed.
However, some of Hungary’s largest foreign investors have expressed concerns, stating that a complete ban on the arrival of guest workers could harm companies and negatively impact the overall economy.
Read also: US Suspends Key Employment-Based Visas for Indian Applicants
