The Hungarian government is stopping the issuance of work visas to citizens of the Philippines, Georgia, and Armenia starting June 5, Reuters reports, citing Hungarian government spokesperson Vanda Szondi.
According to her, this step is the first phase of a policy to regulate the influx of foreign labor. The spokesperson explained that starting today, the government will amend the decree that allowed companies to recruit workers from the Philippines, Georgia, and Armenia under a simplified procedure.
At the same time, foreign workers already in Hungary will be able to apply to extend their permits.
The government views these measures as the first step toward implementing a long-term reform of labor migration. Earlier, the party of Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar stated that the issuance of work visas to citizens of non-EU countries would be discontinued starting in June.