Budapest Unlikely To Change New Labor Law Despite Massive Protests - Senior Lawmaker

The Hungarian government will most likely refrain from amending its new labor law which allows employers to ask for overtime work despite massive protests, Tibor Bana, the deputy chairman of Hungary's parliamentary committee on European affairs, told Sputnik.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th December, 2018) The Hungarian government will most likely refrain from amending its new labor law which allows employers to ask for overtime work despite massive protests, Tibor Bana, the deputy chairman of Hungary's parliamentary committee on European affairs, told Sputnik.

"It depends whether the intensity of the protest stays like this or not. If we look at the communication of the Hungarian government, it seems unlikely that they will retreat, they try to discredit the opposition parties and the protesters," Bana said, when asked whether he expects any changes to the labor law in the light of protests.

Under the new law, employees may have to work on almost all Saturdays a year, the lawmaker stressed.

As the protesters also oppose the new judiciary law, the Hungarian lawmaker stressed that the new legislation will "greatly" jeopardize the independence of the judiciary system.

"No, these will absolutely not benefit Hungary. The biggest problem with the new courts is that the judges will be appointed by the minister of justice and he can decide who can get a promotion, so these judges will be in the hands of the government. With this the independence of the judicial system will greatly decrease," Bana said, when asked whether the creation of the new system of administrative courts could benefit Hungary.

Budapest has seen a wave of protests last week culminating with the most massive demonstration on Sunday. Around 10,000 Hungarians attended the protests opposing the new labor law that allows employers to demand up to 400 hours of overtime work a year. The opponents have dubbed it the "slave law," according to media reports.