EURES Network (European Employment Service) within the National Employment Service and Department on Crime Prevention and Witness Protection of the National Police Headquarter launch a common awareness-raising campaign. Aim of the campaign is to draw attention to the dangers of working abroad, provide information on the rights and opportunities of jobseekers willing to work abroad and help distressed Hungarian citizens. The Consular Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Crisis Management and Information Telephone Service (OKIT) are taking part in the campaign too.
Dangers of working abroad
According to the organizations involved in the campaign people are often accepting a job offer abroad without any information and language knowledge. As a result they become disappointed and vulnerable – might have lost all their money and can only get back home with help. The highest risk is the poor language knowledge. Workers without language skills may be in vulnerable position, they are not able to enforce their interests, have integration difficulties, do not understand the instructions of the employer, and sustain accident at work more often. Many people work undeclared or sign an employment contract which they do not fully understand. Employees should always insist on a written contract as it is the most important document which guarantees access to justice. In case an employee feels cheated and his employer breaches the contract or any other problem arises, the employee can contact the local (foreign) employment centre or labour inspection authority to get help. It has to be noted that recruitment agencies based in Hungary should be registered at the competent employment centre and the registration number shall be indicated in the business premises and in all correspondence. Job seekers are not obligated to pay a referral fee or a commission to the recruitment agency, the employer pays the costs. Hungarian employees are subject to the same employment law as other citizens (equal pay, holiday etc.) because discrimination on grounds of nationality it prohibited.
How can EURES help?
Thirty advisers are working in the EURES network in Hungary who are willing to provide information on the life and work circumstances of the target country per telephone, personally or electronically for free. EURES advisers help to control the employer in cooperation with their 800 colleagues who provide up-to-date information on the prospective employer and on the recruitment agency registered abroad. Thanks to the Hungarian network of EURES many controlled job opportunities – deriving from the database of employment centres - are available and job seekers may ask for advice and information about the employer. There is a growing need for this: The report of the Committee on free movement of workers examined the survey of the United Kingdom based Equality and Human Rights Commission. The survey found that in law-paid sectors such as meat processing industry employers failed to comply with basic social and occupational regulations and in some cases they did not take into account pregnant women’s condition. According to the survey most of the employees were unaware of their rights and afraid of being dismissed therefore they did not found courage to make their employers aware of the bad working conditions.
Who to contact in case of need?
Department on Crime Prevention and Witness Protection of the National Police Headquarter drew victims attention to turn to authorities for help as no difficulty arises from requesting help. Anyone who has its documents taken away, is being detained, has been a victim of fraud, has been sold or being forced to work as prostitute, is entitled to obtain aid even if it was involved in crime or was forced to commit a crime. In case a victim gets into difficulties should contact the police and dial 112 international emergency number. The victim may turn to the Hungarian Embassy that issues a temporary passport and provides advice on how to get back home. National Crisis Management and Information Telephone Service provides help for victims of prostitution and trafficking in human beings, it is recommended to contact them electronically via e-mail: QcjooS6Q1Zmm2b2tpdEBuY3NzemkuaHU= from abroad. EU citizens may use their native language within the police authorities anywhere in the EU. Victims may request help from victim support organizations which provide help in all circumstances. Police drew attention that in case a victim did not make a complaint of a criminal offence abroad, may report it at home. In this case police calls on foreign colleagues to participate in the procedure.