Will mandatory vaccination shut down the Hungarian public transport?

According to the presidents of the trade unions the mandatory vaccination can dramatically affect the public transportation. #Hungary #coronavirus #transport

Many employees in different sectors will be obligated to take the vaccine. Taking the jab will become mandatory for healthcare professionals, employees in state institutions and at the Defense Forces as well as for public transport workers since these employee groups are particularly affected.

Starting from November, employers in Hungary are authorised to make vaccines mandatory at the workplace. It is up to the employer whether he allows unvaccinated people to remain at the workplace or he will send them on unpaid leave. Those working at the Hungarian Defence Forces have to take the first jab by 1 December. Employees of state or municipal institutions have to take the first dose of the vaccine by 15 December if they work closely with clients. But even those employees who do not work closely with clients will be required to take the jab. The deadline for them is 31 January 2022.

You can read about other Covid-related regulations in this article or you should visit this link for further info. In a recent article we have informed our readers that

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that Hungary would receive an additional 15 million coronavirus vaccine doses by the end of this year. Furthermore, it has also been stated that employees of state institutions will be sent on unpaid leave with immediate effect if they refuse to take the vaccine.

The situation of public transport will likely deteriorate if taking the jab becomes compulsory. According to a statement of the President of the Railway Trade Union (Vasutas Szakszervezet) and the President of the Solidarity Bus Transport Union (Szolidaritás Autóbusz-Közlekedési Szakszervezet) given to ATV : “if vaccination becomes mandatory, both MÁV and Volán will likely cease to operate”.

The number of vaccinated railroaders matches the national standard. However, if the numbers are broken down to departments, the percentage is not that good. Those employees who actively take part in railroad transport have the worst figures regarding vaccination rate.

Read also: Hungarian virologist would introduce stricter restrictions for unvaccinated people!

The situation at Volán is not promising either. Employees are angry about the possible introduction of mandatory vaccination. Having said that, István Dobi’s, the chairman of the Solidarity Bus Transport Union, still believes that vaccination will not be mandatory. There is not a sufficient number of reserves employed at the company; therefore, it would likely cease the operation of Volán.

The new regulation authorises employers to send unvaccinated workers to unpaid leave. This unpaid leave can last even for a year. At local municipalities, the mayor is the decision maker in this regard. The only way to be exempted from the rule is to provide an official medical certificate that proves that the person is not advised to take the jab.

4 Comments

  1. Could this be the case – at least it would be Publicly Displayed :
    I catch the 4 tram.
    Large Sign on Tram Approaching indicator Board – tram stop and Tram approaching Indicator Head Board – and on Drivers “capusule” Window – of his 95% enclosed from General Public contact and enclosed air Capusule likened Cabin – and on Stop Notification Display in Tram – that INFORMS passengers, waiting at a tram stop or travelling the General Public Transport – State Owned and Operated – paid for by taxes of the Hungarian Citizens – that the driver of this tram – wages paid by his or hers fellow Vaccinated Citizens in MAJORITY – that he or her – is Un-Vaccinated.
    This is the CONUNDRUM – we are Faced with – and needs – a get your hands really dirty Government approch and attitude – make urgent hard line decisions under Mandatory Law – and show a leadership of Force and Direction – that if – WHOEVER – chooses not to be Vaccinated/Immunized – you will be Publichly Displayed.
    The Hungarian Armed Forces – they could be seconded to come in and make-up the shortages of drivers on our Public Transport – who are “put off” until they agree to be Immunized.
    Go Hard – Go Mean – put them on leave – basic minimul pay – and if they after (4) four weeks – not to be Immunized – march them out the door ///
    Ramp it up – ACCELERATE it – the training for those – the young- who want to work in services to the public – and who are VACCINATED.
    Its called – Contingency Planing – preparing for the What if ?
    Repulsive – this type of “gun at the head” of fellow citizens and Government – by this minority number – who WRONGLY – are choosing – not to be Vaccinated/Immunized – and statistically – being – EMBARRASSED – in the highest catagory – that literally is quite “Yokel” in behaviour pattern – that are Endangering the lives of us – there fellow Citizens.
    Democracy – is Constantly Reforming it-self and Prime Minister – Victor Orban – muchly – and respected by the commentator – in the mould of a Democratic Developer and Reformer – please – fire some BIG salvos.

  2. I don’t think that mandatory vaccination shut down the Hungarian public transport.
    There are plenty of those who got vaccinated already and a large portion of those not vaccinated will probably comply.
    The Union talks about deterioration of service but no shut down. Big difference.

  3. Optimist that I am by nature Istvan – lets us hope they comply.

  4. Norbert, most of them will comply. They have bills to pay like everyone else. I am not concerned.

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