Hungarian trade unions to hold strikes and demonstrations

Trade union umbrella group LIGA Trade Unions will hold strikes and demonstrations on Wednesday, November 21, to protest changes in the health insurance and pension systems planned by the government, writes hirtv.hu. Chairman István Gaskó yesterday said that even if some agreements were reached with the government on Tuesday, many of the announced events could not be canceled. Leaders of the LIGA Trade Unions and the National Association of Worker's Councils (MOSZ) started negotiations with representatives of the government at the ministry of social and labor affairs on Monday, but no agreement has been reached.

Trade unions have asked for the law on the new health insurance system to be removed from the agenda, but the government is not willing to do this. They offered further negotiations until December 17, the date of the final voting on the law.

No agreement has been reached regarding the re-examination of the pension laws on early retirement either. The government is not willing to withdraw the pension law that will become effective on January 1.

Dozens of organizations have announced their participation in the strikes and demonstrations planned for Wednesday, all stressing that their actions are not political, and they do not need support from any political party. From 6 p.m., they will hold a demonstration together on Budapest's Kossuth tér at Alkotmány utca and expect thousands to participate.

In the morning, railway workers will stage a six-hour general strike, while workers of long distance bus company Volán will also go on strike in several counties. A number of air traffic workers, teachers and health care workers will join the strike as well. In addition, workers of three power stations and transport company Rába will also stage a strike.

According to mfor.hu, the list of participating organizations will not be finalized until Tuesday evening. Currently, the list includes the BKV League-Work Council Alliance (BKV Liga-Munkástanács Szövetség), the Fidesz Hungarian Civil Alliance (Fidesz Magyar Polgári Szövetség), the Hungarian Chamber of Doctors (Magyar Orvosi Kamara), the National Association of Large Families (Nagycsaládosok Országos Szövetsége) and the Trade Union of Airport Workers and Service Providers, among many others.

• Email
• Save to My Caboodle