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Orbán: Demographic policies key to curing labour shortages
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Budapest (MTI) – Demographic and family policies are the key to tackling Hungary’s labour shortages, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Friday.
The country is in need of more children and stronger families because if more children are born, more people can join the workforce, Orbán told. But this approach is not supported in Europe, where immigration and migrants are seen as the cure to labour shortages, he said.
Asked about speculation on a reduction in payroll taxes, Orbán said such a cut is a policy “instrument” that would need to “fit into the long-term plan”. Orbán said Hungary’s wage growth is paired with improved competitiveness, lower unemployment and economic growth.
He said Hungary had the fifth lowest unemployment rate in Europe at around 5 percent. This result is “fantastic”, as it is down from around 12 percent in 2010, he added. “It is not at all inconceivable that every Hungarian who wants to work should have a job,” he said.
Hungary should have a population about 15 million by now. If there is work available, then Hungarians should be filling those positions. Orban is right, there is a need for more Hungarian children and stable families. immigration is not the answer, it is a quick fix at best, that ends up taxing the country as an end result.