This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-46588033
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Hungarians rally again against 'slave laws' | Hungarians rally again against 'slave laws' |
(about 13 hours later) | |
About 10,000 people have rallied in Hungary's capital Budapest against new labour laws, which have been labelled "slave" legislation by opponents. | About 10,000 people have rallied in Hungary's capital Budapest against new labour laws, which have been labelled "slave" legislation by opponents. |
The crowds marched towards parliament and the state TV headquarters, in what was the fourth and largest protest since the laws were passed last week. | The crowds marched towards parliament and the state TV headquarters, in what was the fourth and largest protest since the laws were passed last week. |
Police fired tear gas to disperse protesters near the TV station. | Police fired tear gas to disperse protesters near the TV station. |
New rules mean companies can demand up to 400 hours of overtime a year and delay payment for it for three years. | New rules mean companies can demand up to 400 hours of overtime a year and delay payment for it for three years. |
The government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban says the labour reform will benefit workers as well as companies who need to fill a labour shortage. | The government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban says the labour reform will benefit workers as well as companies who need to fill a labour shortage. |
Sunday's demonstration was led by trade unionists and students. | Sunday's demonstration was led by trade unionists and students. |
The event was dubbed "Happy Xmas Prime Minister". Mr Orban is seen by his opponents as becoming increasingly authoritarian. | The event was dubbed "Happy Xmas Prime Minister". Mr Orban is seen by his opponents as becoming increasingly authoritarian. |
Such demonstrations are rare in Hungary, where Mr Orban's policies enjoy widespread support, despite repeated condemnation from other EU nations. | |
In elections earlier this year, the prime minister's Fidesz party won a two-thirds majority in parliament, which he often uses to force his agenda through. | |
Last week's vote was particularly contentious. Opposition politicians caused chaos in parliament, preventing the Speaker from reaching the podium while blowing whistles to disrupt proceedings. | |
In the end, the law was pushed through. That evening, hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the parliament building, and protests have continued since. | |
The labour shortages the government seeks to address with the new law are rooted in long-term trends. Hungary's population has been in decline for years, as deaths outpace births, according to the European statistics agency. Its unemployment rate, at 4.2% in 2017, is one of the lowest in the EU. | |
Hungary is also experiencing a "brain drain" as well-educated people take advantage of free movement within Europe. The problem is serious enough to have prompted a 2015 programme to encourage young people to return home, offering housing and employment support. | |
The governing Fidesz party has said the protests are the work of foreign mercenaries paid by Hungarian-born US billionaire George Soros. | |
Mr Soros denies this, and says the Hungarian authorities are using him as a scapegoat. |
Previous version
1
Next version