According to Hungarian agricultural economist György Raskó, in an article in daily news Hungary ,Hungary’s dairy farm industry now relies on 500–600 guest workers from India and the Philippines. This shift is due to the increasing difficulty in finding Hungarian workers willing to work in this sector. Reports from Szeretlek Magyarország highlight that the number of guest workers in the industry continues to grow steadily.
One notable advantage of employing Indian workers is their cultural and religious background, which emphasizes compassion toward animals. For instance, in Homokszentgyörgy, a farm with 700 Holstein Friesian dairy cattle and 600 hectares of farmland struggled to hire local workers. The farm now employs individuals from India, the Philippines, and even South America, including Guatemala and Venezuela.
A Growing Trend Over Two Decades
Raskó noted that the practice of hiring foreign workers for the dairy industry began 20 years ago. Today, workers from India, the Philippines, and Sikh communities form the backbone of this workforce. They are considered reliable and hardworking, essential traits in an industry that demands 24/7 operations.
Hindu workers, in particular, are seen as ideal due to their religious teachings that foster a deep respect for animals. Employers provide good salaries averaging USD 1,000 per month, along with free accommodation, making these jobs attractive. Many workers stay for several years, sending money back to their families. In some cases, family members take turns working on these farms.
Challenges in the Livestock Sector
Hungary’s livestock density ranks as the second-lowest in the European Union, with just 0.4 animals per hectare. Livestock farming has shifted from small households to large industrial farms. While the dairy industry benefits from guest workers, Raskó stated that employing foreign labor in crop farming is not viable, as it is less profitable. Instead, the crop sector often relies on Roma workers, who, according to him, are perceived as less dependable.
Hungary’s Employment Landscape
The country’s unemployment rate for individuals aged 15–74 stood at 4.5% in October, with 219,400 people unemployed. Employment numbers averaged 4.7 million, reflecting a slight decline of 26,500 from the previous year. While employment rates remain high, the job market is still adjusting to economic shifts.
Of the unemployed, 34% have been seeking work for over a year, while 48% find jobs within three months. Sándor Czomba, State Secretary for Employment Policy, highlighted that Hungary’s employment figures remain historically high, despite minor fluctuations.
The Future of Guest Workers in Hungary’s Dairy Sector
As Hungary’s domestic workforce increasingly turns away from livestock farming, the reliance on foreign labor in the dairy sector is set to grow. With attractive salaries and better working conditions, workers from India, the Philippines, and beyond are expected to play an even more significant role in sustaining Hungary’s dairy industry.