Background information

The measures were introduced in the first wave of the pandemic in March 2020. The main aim of the measure was to prevent layoffs, which succeeded. The only redundancies were cases which were initiated before the pandemic outbreak. Also because state support for COVID-19 defence, including PCR testing is limited in Hungary, the fact that the company finances such preventive measures at no expense to the employee is beneficial for job protection.

Content of measure

The company introduced widespread testing on employees and purchased protective gear, introduced temperature taking, provided workers with vitamin supplements at company expense. All work processes were reviewed and protective (plexiglass) walls were installed and social distancing rules observed throughout the manufacturing areas. Buses used in transporting employees to work were disinfected with ozone disinfection technology.

Vulnerable worker groups (based on age and health status) were allowed to work remotely from home. Some employees requested to go on unpaid leave, this was granted.

The company availed of the government’s short-time work scheme for about 20% of its employees. The company donated respirators it had manufactured to Hungarian hospitals.

Use of measure

The measures were introduced across-the-board to benefit all employees.

Contents

• Employment retention

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Employees in standard employment The COVID-19 risk group at the workplace	Does not apply to businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
Social partners jointly Company / Companies	Companies

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Consulted	Consulted
Form	Direct consultation outside a formal body	Direct consultation outside a formal body

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Social partners jointly
• Main level of involvement: Company level

Involvement

Trade unions were involved in designing the measures from day one. Any changes in employee work schedules or conditions were reviewed on a case-by-case basis with the involvement of the TU, according to the company executive interviewed.

Views and reactions

Social partners were supportive of the measure and of the company's aim to keep people in employment despite limited state support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sectors and occupations

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

• 11 May 2020: Donation of respirators to hospitals
• 16 June 2020: Act LVIII 58/2020 on the state of pandemic emergency (njt.hu)