Vol. 10 No. 2 (2019)
Studies

Labour Migration to Austria in the Western Transdanubian Region

Published 01-08-2019

Keywords

  • migration,
  • commuting,
  • Austria,
  • labour market

Abstract

Following the economic crisis and the loosening of labor market restrictions, migration processes from Hungary intensified. In addition to long-term migrants, the number of workers temporarily staying abroad and commuting has become significant, mainly in the western part of the country towards Austria. The constant demand for foreign workers in Austria, as well as wages that are much higher than in Hungary strongly attract skilled Hungarian workers, leading to serious labor shortages and price rises in their home country.
Based on the Labour Force Survey 2003-2017, this study presents temporary or commuting movements from the West Transdanubian region to Austria, and the socio-demographic characteristics of those working at Austrian sites. Based upon the
results of 8 interviews conducted with mayors of 8 border towns, it presents the positive and negative effects of cross-border mobility.