Economy
Sunday work ban in manufacturing an obscene subject for discussion? In Hungary, not any more
What they are saying now...
Sándor Czomba, State Secretary in charge of job market and vocational training at the Economy Ministry, was interviewed on Hír TV Tuesday night.
In the official's view, estimates of 20,000 to 30,000 potential redundancies resulting from Hungary's newly approved Sunday shopping ban are a huge exaggeration; however he did not reveal his own estimate. "The suggestion that 20,000 to 30,000 people could lose their jobs is not realistic, in my view," he said. As to what he would consider a realistic estimate, Czomba gave a vague reply:
"Obviously, when someone is made redundant, it is bad news for everyone, especially to the persons themselves. My estimate would be on a considerably smaller scale."
...And what they said before
The potential impact of the move was discussed by Viktor Orbán in one of the Prime Minister's weekly public radio on-air interviews on 14th November. "In my view, the news of job cuts is unfounded. The volume of sales and the amount of work that needs to be done will remain the same. I do not see how free Sundays could result in job cuts," he said.
Prior to the final vote in Parliament, Economy Minister Mihály Varga did not talk about the possibility of layoffs. To the contrary, in a 4th December press conference he claimed vacancies were more typical in the retail sector than redundancies. "Strange as it may sound, some sectors of the economy have a shortage of workforce," Varga said. "The numbers can be finalised only after a decision has been made."
It was in early December that Fidesz party whip Antal Rogán declared the party's endorsement of the Sunday shopping ban proposal, with some modifications. At the same time, he said he was not expecting layoffs as a result.
The latest comment on the matter came from Christian Democrat (KDNP) party whip Péter Harrach after the Tuesday vote in Parliament. Speaking on behalf of the party whence the free Sunday proposal originally came, Harrach said there was no reason to fear layoffs as there is currently shortage of workforce in the retail sector.
Sándor Czomba, State Secretary in charge of job market and vocational training at the Economy Ministry, was interviewed on Hír TV Tuesday night.
In the official's view, estimates of 20,000 to 30,000 potential redundancies resulting from Hungary's newly approved Sunday shopping ban are a huge exaggeration; however he did not reveal his own estimate. "The suggestion that 20,000 to 30,000 people could lose their jobs is not realistic, in my view," he said. As to what he would consider a realistic estimate, Czomba gave a vague reply:
"Obviously, when someone is made redundant, it is bad news for everyone, especially to the persons themselves. My estimate would be on a considerably smaller scale."
...And what they said before
The potential impact of the move was discussed by Viktor Orbán in one of the Prime Minister's weekly public radio on-air interviews on 14th November. "In my view, the news of job cuts is unfounded. The volume of sales and the amount of work that needs to be done will remain the same. I do not see how free Sundays could result in job cuts," he said.
Prior to the final vote in Parliament, Economy Minister Mihály Varga did not talk about the possibility of layoffs. To the contrary, in a 4th December press conference he claimed vacancies were more typical in the retail sector than redundancies. "Strange as it may sound, some sectors of the economy have a shortage of workforce," Varga said. "The numbers can be finalised only after a decision has been made."
It was in early December that Fidesz party whip Antal Rogán declared the party's endorsement of the Sunday shopping ban proposal, with some modifications. At the same time, he said he was not expecting layoffs as a result.
The latest comment on the matter came from Christian Democrat (KDNP) party whip Péter Harrach after the Tuesday vote in Parliament. Speaking on behalf of the party whence the free Sunday proposal originally came, Harrach said there was no reason to fear layoffs as there is currently shortage of workforce in the retail sector.
