Trade unions appeal against law on health staff status in Hungary

An alliance of trade unions in the health sector has appealed to the ombudsman and to international organisations over passages of the law governing the legal status of health-care personnel, which they say “seriously violate” the constitution.

The Union for Health, including organisations of doctors, medical universities, ambulance and other health-care staff, said in a statement on Tuesday that the contested stipulations stripped employees of their right to a collective agreement and severely curbed their right to strike. The alliance therefore asked the ombudsman to initiate a review of the legislation by the Constitutional Court.

“Collective bargaining is a fundamental right, which must only be restricted in an extremely justified case, in line with the basic principles of necessity and proportionality,” the statement said. It added that the law’s justification failed to indicate why the restrictions were necessary. “Nor has the government provided an explanation,” it added.