European Court rules Hungarian teachers' strike rights were unlawfully restricted

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that the Hungarian state unlawfully restricted the right of teachers to strike. The decision follows legal action initiated in 2022 by the Teachers' Union (PSZ) and the Democratic Union of Teachers (PDSZ), with representation from the Hungarian Helsinki Committee and the Association for Freedom Rights (TASZ).

The dispute traces back to 2021, when the government challenged a warning strike and subsequently issued a decree that effectively prohibited strikes by citing a state of emergency. While unions attempted various methods to maintain labor actions, the restrictions led to instances of civil disobedience among educators.

Legal experts and union representatives describe the ruling as a significant victory against arbitrary restrictions. The case highlights long-standing grievances in the Hungarian education sector, including issues with wage scales, workload, and the centralization of the school system.