Czarzasty, Jan
Thematic feature - industrial relations and undeclared work
12 Září 2004
This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of
undeclared work in Poland, as of June 2004. It looks at: the nature and
extent of undeclared work; the regulatory framework; the role, activities and
views of the social partners; and partnerships between social partners and
public authorities to tackle undeclared work.
Conflicts re-emerge in mining
11 Srpen 2004
In summer 2004, strikes appear to be looming in large parts of the Polish
coal-mining industry, with disputes at various companies centred on pay
increases and the contents of new collective agreements. Miners are basing
demands for higher wages on the sound financial results being posted by the
mines in 2004, although how long the current favourable trend in the world's
coal markets will last remains an open issue. The need to draw up new
collective agreements, meanwhile, arises from the current restructuring
process in the sector.
Trade unions in agriculture examined
03 Srpen 2004
Agriculture, which employs more than 4 million people (nearly a third of all
those in employment), constitutes an important segment of the Polish economy
and labour market. Despite this, organisations assembling agricultural
workers are not directly represented in national social dialogue
institutions, though this has not prevented them from repeatedly
demonstrating their power to mobilise protests. This article examines the
development of agricultural and farmers' unions and the situation as of
summer 2004.
The Polish labour market and EU membership
08 Červenec 2004
As Poland joins the EU on 1 May 2004, its labour market situation remains
difficult and unemployment is high, as is the case in a number of other new
Member States. This may have contributed to fears in the 'old' EU 15 of a
post-enlargement influx of cheap labour and people seeking social security
benefits, and to the decision by most governments to apply transitional
periods before fully opening their labour markets to citizens of the new
Member States. However, studies conducted in Poland and elsewhere suggest
that these fears are exaggerated. This article examines the situation and the
views of the Polish social partners.
2003 Annual Review for Poland
14 Červen 2004
The ruling left-wing coalition of the Democratic Left Alliance (Sojusz Lewicy
Demokratycznej, SLD [1]), the Labour Union (Unia Pracy, UP [2]) and the
Polish Peasants Party (Polskie Stronnictwo Ludowe, PSL [3]), which came to
power after the 2001 parliamentary elections, split up in March 2003. The PSL
left the government of Prime Minister Leszek Miller and the SLD-UP coalition
continued in office as a minority government. However, a number of
independent deputies backed the government in numerous important votes.
[1] http://www.sld.org.pl/
[2] http://www.uniapracy.org.pl/
[3] http://www.psl.org.pl/
New labour market legislation adopted
06 Červen 2004
An Act regarding the promotion of employment and labour market institutions
was passed by the Polish parliament in April 2004 and started to come into
force on 1 May. The new legislation deals with the state’s duties with
respect to fostering employment, assuaging the impact of unemployment and
'activating' unemployed people. An important role in the achieving these
objectives is envisaged for the social partners. Adoption of the Act marks
the latest step towards harmonisation of Polish legislation with EU law in
this area.
Unrest at Polish National Railways
09 Květen 2004
During 2003 and the early months of 2004, there has been considerable
industrial relations tension at Polish National Railways (PKP). On several
occasions, disputes about the restructuring of regional rail services have
brought trade unions close to calling a sector-wide general strike. In May
2004, it seems unlikely that the full subsidies promised for regional
services will be paid out, entailing the closure of some services and setting
off a fresh wave of union protests.
Labour Code amended again
02 Prosinec 2003
In October 2003, another set of changes to the Polish Labour Code were
adopted by parliament - the latest in a series of rounds of amendments in
recent years. The primary objective of the new amendments is further
harmonisation of Polish labour legislation with the relevant EU law. The most
important issues addressed include sick leave, fixed-term employment
contracts, working time, annual and childcare leave, harassment, bullying and
the employment of minors.
Wave of strikes anticipated
11 Listopad 2003
November 2003 is due to see considerable labour unrest across Poland. A
general strike at Polish State Railways (PKP) is due to start on 13 November,
while a 24-hour warning strike will be staged in the mining industry on 17
November and a protest by healthcare workers is scheduled to start one day
later. Finally, between 7 and 26 November, the NSZZ Solidarność trade union
will hold 'protest days' around the country.
New rules approved on equal treatment and discrimination
11 Listopad 2003
In October 2003, the lower house of the Polish parliament approved a set of
amendments to the Labour Code, which include a number of new provisions , in
line with EU law, aimed at ensuring equal treatment and preventing
discrimination at work. A notable change is the recognition of the issue of
sexual harassment, which is defined, made illegal and expressly prohibited.