The Liga trade union confederation has called for a nationwide strike on May 8 in protest against the programme of new Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai, Liga said in a statement on Friday.
Liga said they disagree with Bajnai’s programme outlined at the meeting of the National Conciliation Council (OET) of representatives of employers and employees on Friday. Bajnai confirmed, at the meeting, that he could not see any chance to change his crisis management programme.
Liga argued that nothing was accepted of the major trade unions’ demands that prompted their demonstration last weekend.
The unions’ demonstration at Parliament on April 18 called for protecting jobs, as well as an even and fair burdening of employers and employees in the economic crisis.
The unions demonstrated after Bajnai’s announcement of “strong austerity measures” of 400 billion forint (EUR 1.4bn) expenditure cut in 2009, and 900 billion (EUR 3.7bn) next year. The measures would affect the public services, the pension and the social benefits systems.
In its statement, Liga said they had been drafting their own alternative package with the help of economists.
Liga has 82 members representing all major professions across the country.