Latest news in Hungary - 30 Oct 2024

- Equal Pay Day in Hungary: October 29 marks Equal Pay Day, symbolizing the ongoing wage disparity, where women effectively stop receiving pay for the year due to a gender pay gap of 17.5%. Activists, led by Amnesty Hungary, staged nationwide actions to raise awareness about this issue. Read more here

- Changes to Parking Policies for Green License Plates in Budapest: Mayor Gergely Karácsony proposes new regulations for green license plate vehicles, allowing only fully electric cars registered in Budapest to park for free. This change is aimed at reducing traffic congestion and prioritizing zero-emission vehicles. Read more here

- Hungary Airlines to Launch Operations: Hungary Airlines Ltd., linked to a Chinese air freight group, will commence operations in December, focusing on cargo between Hungary and China with a state-owned freighter. The new entity will not replicate the legacy of Malév. Read more here

- Budapest's Roma Local Governments Seek Assistance: The Association of Roma Communities is reaching out to local governments for support ahead of the 2026 parliamentary elections, encouraging them to identify and mobilize needs for assistance. Read more here

- Samsung Battery Factory Resumes Legal Operations: The Samsung battery factory in Göd has resumed operations legally after a Budapest Court of Appeal annulled a prior order halting activities. The factory had operated for five months without an environmental permit. Read more here

- Recent Developments in Budapest's Urban Heat Problem: Budapest is challenged by the urban heat island effect, exacerbating heatwaves. A partnership between Envirosense Hungary Ltd. and the European Space Agency aims to address this with improved urban planning solutions. Read more here

- Paternity Leave Proposal: An employment law package proposes to double Hungary's paternity leave from two months to four months in alignment with EU regulations, aimed at providing fathers better work-life balance. However, employers aren't obliged to pay full salary during the additional leave. Read more here

- Significant Drop in Hungarian GDP: Hungary's GDP shrank by 0.8% in Q3 2024, raising concerns about potential recession as economic challenges mount across key sectors. Analysts project annual growth below 1% amid troubling market conditions. Read more here

- Student Organizations Face Challenges: Student organizations in Budapest are actively advocating for their proposals to improve conditions, despite pushback from local politicians. They emphasize their commitment to addressing the genuine needs of the student community. Read more here