Hungary: Unions call for strike, protests over labour law

Union leaders in Hungary called on Saturday for a national strike and protests on Jan 19 to oppose labour code changes they see as a "slave law" harmful to workers.

A crowd of at least 10,000 people gathered outside the Hungarian parliament building to protest a law approved in December that allows employers to request up to 400 hours of overtime a year from employees.

Hungarian Trade Union Federation President Laszlo Kordas said the unions are demanding the repeal of the "slave law," higher wages, increased workers' rights and a more flexible retirement system.

They plan to present them to Prime Minister Viktor Orban and if the government refuses to negotiate, the unions will hold the strike, he said.

"The government has abandoned us," Kordas said.

"The country must come to a halt at the same time on the same day."
"We will continue to rise up until we topple Orban's rotten-to-the-core regime."