Job cuts and hiring sprees: What Hungary’s battery industry shake-up means for guest workers

sk battery plant komárom guest workers
Photo: skonhungary.com

Hungary’s booming battery industry is undergoing a major shift, with some factories laying off hundreds of workers while others ramp up hiring and struggle to find enough employees. For guest workers—especially those from Asia—these changes could have a big impact on job opportunities in the coming months.

Major layoffs at Korean battery giants

In the past year, two of Hungary’s most established battery cell manufacturers, Samsung SDI and SK On, have cut a combined total of over 1,500 jobs. As of April 2025, Samsung had 694 fewer employees compared to its previous peak in 2024, while SK On’s workforce dropped by 835, Telex reports.

These layoffs follow a global trend in which Korean battery companies are losing ground to fast-growing Chinese manufacturers. The restructuring has affected not only the main producers but also some of their Korean suppliers.

Chinese firms are hiring: and looking abroad for workers

In contrast, Chinese battery companies like CATL, EVE Power, and Sunwoda are expanding rapidly in Hungary. CATL’s plant in Debrecen, for instance, is still under construction but is already employing around 500 workers. By late 2025, it plans to quadruple that number to 2,000.

However, the company admits it is struggling to recruit Hungarian workers. As a result, CATL is expected to hire workers from the Philippines to fill the gap. For guest workers already in Hungary (or those planning to arrive), this could mean new opportunities at Chinese-run facilities.

Other companies also actively hiring include:

  • Semcorp, a separator film manufacturer in Debrecen, which is beginning trial production and already planning a second plant;
  • Bamo, a cathode manufacturer in Ács;
  • EcoPro, which supplies cathode material to Samsung;
  • Lotte, producing raw materials.

Not all suppliers are thriving

While most suppliers are hiring or maintaining staff, SungEel Hitech, a South Korean battery recycler, is significantly downsizing, Telex writes. The company has been in the spotlight for serious workplace violations, including exposing workers to high levels of toxic nickel. Its site in Bátonyterenye was even temporarily shut down by Hungarian authorities in 2023.

Currently, only 32 employees remain at SungEel, down from a peak of 70.

What guest workers should know

This industry volatility shows that Hungary’s battery sector is not a single, stable block, but a rapidly evolving market. Some companies may offer long-term employment, while others may face sudden closures or job cuts.

Guest workers considering or currently holding jobs in this sector should:

  • Follow developments in specific companies, especially Chinese firms currently expanding;
  • Be cautious of employers with a record of poor working conditions;
  • Consider mobility: being open to relocating within Hungary may improve employment chances as new factories open.

Read more news about guest workers in Hungary HERE.

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