Hungary`s government will stop issuing worker visas to employees from the Philippines, Georgia and Armenia from Friday, a government spokeswoman said, calling the move a first step towards regulating the inflow of guest workers, writes Reuters.

Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s Tisza party ⁠has said it would stop issuing visas to workers from outside the European Union from June.

Government to tighten employment opportunities for guest workers over what it says are concerns they are pushing down local salaries, spokeswoman Vanda Szondi told a media briefing.

Foreign workers account for just 2% of Hungary`s workforce based on official statistics, ⁠but some sectors, like services and manufacturing, are heavily reliant on foreign workers.

Government to change decree allowing manpower companies to import workers in a simplified procedure from the Philippines, ⁠Georgia and Armenia as of Friday. Employees already present can still apply for an extension, while requests already submitted would ⁠be assessed. Government calls reforms a first step in a planned long-term solution.