Hungary - Employment and social affairs

Short-term priorities

preparation of a national employment strategy;
support for the efforts of the social partners to develop and implement the acquis in the field of bipartite social dialogue.

Evaluation (November 2000)

A review of the employment situation in the country was carried out, and guidelines mirroring the European Employment Strategy prepared. A programme to improve the capacity of the social partners was launched.

Evaluation (2001)

This priority has been fully met.

Evaluation (October 2002)

Although Hungary does not yet have a national strategy on social inclusion, a number of preparatory steps were taken in 2002.

An agreement was signed with the social partners on restructuring the social dialogue system.

Assessment (November 2003)

Please refer to the fact sheets on the adoption of the Community acquis.

Medium-term priorities:

setting up of appropriate labour market structures and joint assessment of employment policies with the prospect of participating in European coordination;
aligning labour law and legislation on health and safety at work;
setting up coercive structures, in particular the speedy adoption of the framework directive on the health and safety of workers;
applying the principle of equal opportunities for men and women;
continuing to develop active, autonomous social dialogue;
continuing to develop the social welfare system;
efforts to align the public health system with European standards.

Evaluation (October 1999)

In general, progress was made in incorporating Community acquis in this area. Labour law is already largely aligned with the Community acquis. Since the beginning of 1999, social dialogue has benefited from a new institutional framework, the National Labour Council, a tripartite forum in which the social partners consult one another and enter into negotiations on labour-related topics, including wages. The social welfare system is well developed. Lastly, progress was made in the area of public health. A new law was adopted which will serve as a basis for different implementation measures and activities.

Evaluation (November 2000)

No progress has been made on this priority.

Evaluation (2001)

This priority has been partially met.

Evaluation (October 2002)

Alignment with the acquis is progressing. Substantial progress has been made with regard to occupational health and safety. Transposition of the acquis in the field of public health is moving forward. The acquis relating to tobacco has not yet been implemented.

Assessment (November 2003)

Please refer to the fact sheets on the adoption of the Community acquis.

Following the signing of the Accession Treaty on 16 April 2003, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia acceded to the European Union on 1 May 2004.

References

Decision 99/850/EC of 06.12.1999Official Journal L 335 of 28.12.1999

Commission Opinion COM(97) 2001 finalNot published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(98) 700 finalNot published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(1999) 505 finalNot published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(2000) 705 finalNot published in the Official Journal

Commission Report SEC(2001) 1747 finalNot published in the Official Journal

Commission Report SEC(2002) 1404 finalNot published in the Official Journal

Commission Report COM(2003) 675 final - SEC(2003) 1205Not published in the Official Journal

Treaty of Accession to the European Union [Official Journal L 236, 23.09.2003]

Last updated: 19.11.2004