MASZSZ complained that unions were not consulted on the measure and said a “number of issues remain unclear” with its introduction.

The measure, outlined in a government decree published on Thursday, allows employers to put employees who do not comply with instructions to be inoculated on unpaid leave for a period of a year and terminated after that time if they still don’t have their Covid jabs.

MASZSZ noted that, until now, only employees could ask to be put on unpaid leave, putting the matter outside of the scope of power of employers. It warned that employers could “abuse” their new power to expedite layoffs.

MASZSZ said Hungarians’ propensity to get their Covid jabs could be boosted with measures other than ones that “strengthen employers’ position, while increasing workers’ vulnerability”.


MTI Photo: Szilárd Koszticsák