Employment Service Convention, 1948 (No. 88) - Hungary (Ratification: 1994)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

Articles 1 and 3 of the Convention. Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. In its previous comments, the Committee requested the Government to continue to provide information on the impact and effectiveness of the activities carried out by the employment service, in particular following the reorganization of the public employment service. The Government refers in its report to the transformation of the public employment service in 2020–21 and to legislative changes that took place during the reporting period, including the adoption of Act No. CXXXV of 2020 on Services and Subsidies to Promote Employment and on the Supervision of Employment. The Government recalls that, in 2017, more than 40 central offices were terminated or transformed, with tasks reallocated from the central offices to the district offices. Additional changes were introduced in March 2020 resulting in a more transparent and simpler organisational structure for citizens. Accordingly, the district offices perform employment-related tasks, while the government or central offices perform employment supervision and occupational safety control tasks. With reference to Government Decree 104/2022. (III. 12.) on supporting the accommodation of persons arriving during the state of emergency due to the humanitarian disaster in a neighbouring country and other related measures, the Government indicates that a significant change which occurred in the duties and responsibilities affecting the employment field of government offices was the performance of tasks related to supporting the employment of persons with Ukrainian citizenship as of March 2022. One new responsibility in this regard was the registration of persons requesting recognition as asylum seekers who could be involved in employment. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that while the number of successful placements by the public employment service had substantially increased between 2010 and 2014 (201,907 to 659,509 placed persons) and the average number of registered jobseekers had declined, the newly provided data shows a decline in the total number of successful placements from 486,002 in 2016 and to 229,468 in 2022. The Committee also notes that, pursuant to EUROSTAT data, in the 15–74 age group, the number of unemployed persons, as defined by the ILO, showed a steady downward trend from January–March 2015. In the fourth quarter of 2022, the number of unemployed persons, as defined by the ILO, amounted to 188,900, a slight increase of 8,600 compared to the same period in the previous year. Based on the Labour Force Survey data for the fourth quarter of 2022, the economically active population aged 15–74 numbered 4,891,400, giving an activity rate of 66.9 per cent. The Committee further observes that the national context is characterized by economic growth, high employment levels and labour force participation. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the application of the Convention, indicating also the manner in which the employment service addresses the challenges represented by regional disparities in the labour market and the needs of older persons in the context of aging population. It also asks the Government to provide updated information on the impact and effectiveness of the activities carried out by the employment service and to continue to provide information, including statistical data, disaggregated by sex and age, on the number of public employment offices established, the number of employment applications received, the number of vacancies notified and the number of persons placed in employment by these offices.

Articles 4 and 5. Cooperation with employers’ and workers’ representatives. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the Government’s indication that the national interest reconciliation system was reformed in 2011. The National Economic and Social Council (NESC) and the Permanent Consultation Forum (PCF) were established in that same year. The Committee then noted the concerns expressed by the employers’ and workers’ organizations represented at the National ILO Council regarding the consultations held within the NESC and the PCF. The Committee requested the Government to provide further information on the consultations effectively held with employers’ and workers’ organizations concerning the organization and operation of the employment service and in the development of employment service policy. The Government indicates in this respect that the employment service is part of the national public administration system, and therefore it has no separate cooperation or consultations mechanisms of its own. It further indicates that the system of interest reconciliation has remained essentially unchanged. Act XCIII of 2011 provides on the prevailing regime of economic interest reconciliation, including employment policy interest reconciliation, as the highest forum of the institution system of social dialogue, that is, the NESC and its organisation and operation. The purpose of the Act is to replace the central coordination consultation forums that used to operate in parallel with each other, and in many cases overlapping with each other, in terms of their scope of duties. With the launch of the NESC in 2011, the new consultation mechanism enables social dialogue on a wide range of topics. In addition to the NESC, the Permanent Consultation Forum of the Private Sector and Government (VKF), operational since 2012, also provides an opportunity for the social partners to engage in a meaningful dialogue. Moreover, the Government indicates that the VKF provides an organisational framework for national employers' and workers' representatives and the Government to hold regular consultations on, inter alia, government regulatory measures concerning employment policy, the labour market and wage developments in the private sector, and any other issues directly affecting the economic or social situation of employers and workers. At the national level, the National Civil Service Interest Conciliation Council (OKÉT) continues to be the preeminent forum for reconciling interests in the public sector. While it takes due note of this information, the Committee once again requests the Government to provide more detailed information on the specific consultations effectively held with employers’ and workers’ organizations concerning the organization and operation of the employment service and in the development of employment service policy.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

The Committee notes the observations of the employers’ and workers’ organizations represented at the National ILO Council which were incorporated in the Government’s report.

Articles 1 and 3 of the Convention. Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. The Government provides in its report detailed information on the structural changes to the Hungarian public administration and, within that, to the public employment service. The restructuring of the entire public administration system was a priority among the public policy plans of the Government. Moreover, the strategy to modernize the public employment service is part of the overall objective to create a new cost-effective system that responds to the needs of fast, up-to-date, customer friendly, single window administration. In addition to a description of changes to the organizational structure of the public employment service, the Government adds that a customer categorization system of jobseekers (jobseeker profiling) and a performance management system are being introduced to increase the effectiveness, targeting and coverage of active labour market programmes. The Committee notes in this regard that, pursuant to Government Decree No. 152/2014 (VI. 6.), the Office of the Minister of State has been designated as the national professional controlling body of the public employment organization. It also notes that an online job portal, known as the Virtual Labour Market, was introduced in 2013. The Committee notes from the report that the number of successful placements by the public employment service increased from 201,907 in 2010 to 659,509 in 2014, while the average number of registered jobseekers declined within the same period. In reply to the previous comments concerning the contribution of the employment service to addressing regional disparities and facilitating the integration of jobseekers in the labour market, the Government indicates that the significant territorial differences in the Hungarian labour market were somewhat reduced over the last few years, partly owing to the territorial concentration of public employment programmes, as most of those programmes are implemented in regions with disadvantaged labour markets. It adds that the distribution of funds and the targeted nature of activation tools are launched in disadvantaged regions in order to improve the opportunities of individuals to find employment. Nonetheless, given the few employment opportunities for participants in public employment programmes in these regions, it is important to support creation of jobs specifically destined for them, particularly in the social economy. The Committee notes in this regard that the best results of the efforts made in this respect have been obtained by the network of social cooperatives established on the basis of public employment. Since 2013, social cooperatives have been established in 106 disadvantaged cities and towns implementing public employment programmes, mainly for agricultural production and food processing. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the impact and effectiveness of the activities carried out by the employment service, in particular following the reorganization of the public employment service. The Committee also requests the Government to continue to provide information on the number of public employment offices established, the number of employment applications received, the number of vacancies notified and the number of persons placed in employment by these offices.

Articles 4 and 5. Cooperation with employers’ and workers’ representatives. In its previous comments, the Committee invited the Government to provide information on the active cooperation of employers’ and workers’ representatives in the organization and operation of the employment service. The Government indicates that the national interest reconciliation system was reformed in 2011. The National Economic and Social Council (NESC) and the Permanent Consultation Forum (PCF) were established in that same year. The employers’ organizations noted that the structure and operation of the NESC do not comply with the interest reconciliation requirements of the social partners and that the activities of the PCF are dedicated only to employment issues. The workers’ organizations remarked that the NESC is not suitable for performing the tasks required under the Convention. According to the workers’ organizations, the main issues include the fact that the Government does not take part in the activities of the NESC and the discussions held on three occasions a year are not aimed at labour market issues. They also add that the PCF is not an ideal institution for performing tasks defined in the Convention, as its participants only include organizations invited by the Government, but the national representative organizations of employers and workers are absent. In its reply to the observations of the social partners, the Government indicates that the NESC members can exercise their rights and discuss labour market issues within a greater scope of competence than previously held by former members of the National Interest Reconciliation Council (NIRC), the predecessor of the NESC. It adds that, at NESC meetings, the social partners have the opportunity to propose consultation on labour market issues, or to establish a special committee dedicated to that topic. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the consultations effectively held with employers’ and workers’ organizations concerning the organization and operation of the employment service and in the development of employment service policy.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Contribution of the employment service to employment promotion. The Committee notes the Government’s detailed report received in January 2011 for the period ending May 2010 and the comments provided by the workers’ organizations at the National ILO Council in August 2010. The Government reports that 604,576 jobseekers were registered at the employment offices at the end of 2009. In the same year, the public employment service successfully mediated 182,329 persons to 317,244 vacancies reported. The Committee notes the workers’ organizations dissatisfaction as they consider that the report does not demonstrate what actual measures were taken in order to improve the employment rate. Furthermore, the workers’ organizations indicate that they do not consider government subsidies to have been utilized efficiently. The Government indicates that the activities of the employment service and the utilization of the subsidies facilitating employment are processed and demonstrated in a detailed annual report discussed by the Controlling Body of the Labour Market Fund, a tripartite body. The Committee also notes that the workers’ organizations asked the Government for additional information concerning the measures taken for the facilitation of labour mobility. The Government replied by indicating that the employment service makes labour force forecasts yearly which reflect the expected developments in the professional requirements of employment. Training and retraining programmes supported by the labour organization are defined on the basis of the number of current vacant jobs and expected demand, facilitating the professional mobility of jobseekers. To facilitate the geographical mobility of employees, the Government indicates that it has established and operates a national jobseeking system, which is available at each agency, and this information is also available online. The EURES Consulting Network was established within the framework of the employment service, the consultants and assistants of which give assistance in finding jobs in the European Economic Area regions, both at the regional and local level. Frontier cooperation programmes (EURES-T) facilitate the cooperation of the labour market actors of neighbouring countries and the employment of the labour force over the borders in accordance with business requirements. The Committee refers to its 2010 comments on the application of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), and invites the Government to describe in its next report on Convention No. 88 the contribution of the employment service to address regional disparities and facilitate the integration of jobseekers in the labour market. The Committee also invites the Government to continue to provide information on the active cooperation of employers’ and workers’ representatives in the organization and operation of the employment service, as well as on the activities of the Labour Market Fund (Articles 4 and 5 of Convention No. 88).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2001, published 90th ILC session (2002)

Further to its 1998 direct request, the Committee notes with interest the detailed information contained in the Government’s report received in November 2000. It would appreciate receiving further information on measures taken to refer applicants and vacancies from one office to another and on facilitating various forms of mobility, particularly in the light of the regional discrepancies in available employment, as required under Article 6(a) and (b) of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

The Committee notes with interest the Government's first report on the application of the Convention. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide in its next report the text of Ordinance No. 9/1996 of the Ministry of Labour in respect of the employment service. The Committee also requests the Government to furnish additional information on the following points, to enable greater appreciation of the practical application of the Convention.

Article 3 of the Convention. The Committee, having regard for the major regional disparities in unemployment rates which it noted in its comments in respect of the application of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), would be grateful if the Government would describe the measures taken or envisaged to ensure that there are a sufficient number of employment service offices in the different regions of the country. Please indicate whether, in this respect, a general review of the organization of the network of employment service offices has been undertaken or is envisaged.

Articles 4 and 5. The Committee notes that the Interest Reconciliation Council has established a permanent Labour Market Committee. The Committee also notes the establishment of a Tripartite Labour Council at country level. Please also specify the manner in which these bodies shall ensure the cooperation of employers' and workers' organizations in the organization and the operation of the employment service, as well as the development of employment service policy.

Article 6(a) and (b). Please indicate the measures taken to refer applicants and vacancies from one employment office to another. Please indicate the measures taken by the employment service to facilitate occupational and geographical mobility of jobseekers.

Article 6(e). Please indicate the manner in which the employment service will assist in the drawing-up of an employment policy.

Article 7. Please indicate the measures which have been taken or envisaged to ensure, within employment offices, a specialization by occupation or branch of activity or, where necessary, to specify the reasons why such specialization would not appear to be useful. Please indicate the measures taken by the employment service to meet adequately the needs of particular categories of applicants for employment, such as disabled persons.

Article 8. Please describe the special arrangements taken by employment services for juveniles.

Article 9. Please describe the status, recruitment methods, initial and subsequent training of the staff of the employment service.

Article 10. Please indicate the measures taken to encourage full use of employment service facilities by employers and workers.

Article 11. Please indicate the measures which have been envisaged or taken to secure effective cooperation between the public employment service and private employment agencies.

Parts IV and VI of the report form. Please provide any available statistical data concerning the nature and volume of activities of the employment service and a general assessment of its effectiveness.

[The Government is asked to report in detail in 2000.]