Hungary: Nationwide general strike March 14 /update 15

Event

Opposition parties, along with students, trade unions, and civil society groups have called for a nationwide general strike to take place on Thursday, March 14, to denounce recent changes to labor laws. Related demonstrations are possible, notably in the capital Budapest. A heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions are to be expected near any demonstration site.

Context

Protests denouncing a controversial labor law and judicial reform first erupted in Hungary on December 12, 2018. President János Áder signed the labor reforms into law despite the protests. Opponents of the law have called the reforms a "slave law"; the law increased the number of overtime hours employers can demand employees to work from 250 to 400 hours a year. It also allows associated overtime payment to be delayed up to three years. On January 3, opposition members of parliament pledged to make 2019 a "year of resistance" against the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Advice

Individuals in Hungary are advised to avoid all demonstrations as a precaution, anticipate localized business and transportation disruptions near protest sites, and obey instructions issued by the local authorities.