ECHR ruling on Hungarian teachers' strike rights

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that the Hungarian government unlawfully restricted the right to strike for teachers. The dispute originated in 2021 and 2022, when the government issued decrees to prohibit strikes, citing the need for continuous childcare and lesson attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Legal challenges were brought by the Teachers' Union (PSZ) and the Democratic Union of Teachers (PDSZ), supported by organizations such as the Hungarian Helsinki Committee and the Association for Freedom Rights (TASZ). The court determined that these restrictions were not necessary in a democratic society and constituted a disproportionate limitation on pedagogical unions.

The ruling follows a period of civil disobedience among educators and highlights broader grievances within the Hungarian education sector, including workload, wage scales, and the centralization of the school system. In response to the decision, Education and Children's Minister Judit Lannert stated that the ruling validates recent efforts to reform the educational system by restoring school autonomy and strengthening employee representation.