Overview of most important workers’ rights

What

  • You have the right to work under the conditions written in the contract
  • You have right to do a job which fits to your physical conditions. In the working area the employer has to provide safe environment and protective equipment.
  • The basic working day contains 8 working hours, but there are special jobs where you have to work 12 or 24 hours (if your 12 hours shifts are on consecutive days). On the other hand, in part time employment you have to work 4-6 hours a day.
  • You have the right to have at least 11 hours long rest between two shifts. There are some special cases when the minimum resting time is 8 hours (split worktime; based on shifts e. g. night, morning; seasonal jobs). You have to have minimum 2 resting days per a week (there are some special cases, you must pay attention when you make the contract).
  • You have the right to have breaks during working hours:
    • If you work more than 6 hours per a day you need to have minimum 20 minutes break, if you work more than 9 hours you have to have plus 25 minutes break. These breaks aren’t part of the working time so they aren’t paid.
    • If you work with computer you have to have 10 minutes “health break” in every hour. But in this period you have to work, but not in front of the computer.
  • You have the right to have holidays during the year. During the holidays you are entitled to 100% of your salary. Minimum number of holidays is 20 days/year, but you can receive additional days:
    • if you are older than 25 years you receive 1 day in every 3 years until you reach the age 45);
    • if you have child(ren) you receive additional days
  • if you have one child you receive additional 2 days off,
  • if you have two children you receive 4 days,
  • if you have more than two children you receive 7 days;
  • if you work under special, mostly hazardous working conditions you also receive additional days depending on the nature of work.
  • You have the right to have 14 days long holiday in a row. But this is not obligatory, you have the right to make an agreement on this with your employer.
  • Generally, the employer decides about when can you go on holiday but after 3 months of employment you have the right to take 7 days holiday – divided into maximum two parts – whenever you want.
  • The minimum wage in Hungary is 138 000 HUF (gross)/month (445 €, in 2018). After paying the taxes, social contributions etc., you get around 91770 HUF/month (296 €, in 2018).
  • The maternity leave in Hungary is 24 weeks long.
  • The paternity leave in Hungary is 5 days long.
  • If you are sick you have to right to go on sick leave for maximum 15 days. After the 15th day you can go on sick pay. If you are on sick leave the employer pays to you, but if you are on a sick pay you receive money from the state. You can also take sick leave if you have child younger than 12 years and you have to be with him/her during his/her sickness.
  • You are entitled to receive bonuses if you work under special conditions (Sunday shifts or night shifts). The bonus is certain percentage of your salary.
  • If you are pregnant, you need to tell your employer immediately. Your employer can’t fire when you are pregnant or during the maternity leave.
  • Women and men have the right to be paid the same when doing the same job.