In December 2011-February 2012 the dynamic increase of the number of employees has continued in comparison to the corresponding period of the previous year – the Central Statistics Office (KSH) reports. The number of employed aged 15-74 has increased substantially, more than in the previous period, by 51 000 to 3 million 794 thousand from 3 million 743 thousand a year before and thus the rate of employment rose to 49.5 percent. Among the population aged 15-64 years the number of employed increased by 50 000 to 3 million 761 thousand from 3 million 711 thousand a year before and thus the rate of employment rose to 55.8 percent.
According to the latest flash report of the Central Statistical Office, on the basis of data adjusted for calendar effects, in January 2012 the volume of retail sales was higher by 0.6 percent in comparison to the corresponding period of the previous year. This figure places Hungary among the twelve EU member countries which registered growth compared to the first month of 2011.
Good figures are emerging: in 2011 real wages increased substantially by 6 percent
On of the gravest issues of Hungary is low employment rate. While the rate of employment in several segments of social groups which are active in the economy is around the EU average, there are a number of well-definable focal points where we have been lagging behind the EU. Such groups include the 50+ generation, career starters, the unskilled or young women with little children. Furthermore, regional differences are also huge in the country.
The Hungarian government regrets but acknowledges that the European Commission did not accept the legal arguments of the Hungarian reply of 29 November 2011, which had responded to the detailed EC statement in regard to the infringement procedure on the extra tax for the telecom sector, and it decided to refer the case to the European Court of Justice.
The popularity of the SZÉP Card has proven to be greater than it had been anticipated. According to the Ministry for National Economy, the electronic voucher card may already in this year generate extra demand worth ten billion forints for the domestic tourism industry. Employers transferred 10.5bn HUF to cover fringe benefits to electronic voucher cards in the first quarter. From 15 April every POS terminal of the banks which have joined the system will be compatible with SZÉP Cards.
The amendment of the Consumer Protection Act, which was endorsed by the government at its session earlier today, is to be enacted by parliament. The modifications were incorporated in the bill after all requirements of consumers had been taken into consideration. As a result, among others, in the future complaint management will be faster and the sphere of competence for conciliation committees will be broader.
In the first month of 2012 gross average salaries rose in the national economy by 4.3 percent, whereas net salaries excluding family tax benefits rose by 1.4 percent in comparison to the corresponding period of the previous year – the Central Statistical Office reported this morning in its new type of statistical communication.
According to seasonally and workday-adjusted monthly data, industrial output rose by 2.1 percent in January 2012, whereas on a year-on-year basis production slightly decreased by 0.5 percent.
It has been a priority for the Ministry for National Economy to secure the pensions of citizens.