150k women left their jobs because of Family 500+ program?

According to statistics released by Poland’s Central Statistical Office (GUS), between March and September, the number of economically active population has dropped by 150,000 and the only group (aged 25-44) whose activity has dropped in that period are women. The reason given for leaving their jobs was “household responsibilities.” “This is all logical - quitting work is the result of the 500+ program,” said Iga Magda from the Institute for Structural Research, quoted by Dziennik Gazeta Prawna. The Ministry of Labour doesn’t support this thesis though. “It’s too early to analyze the statistics and give reason for this trend. The data from the first two quarters of the year did not support this claim,” the ministry wrote in the statement. Economists warn that this trend will affect the potential pensions of the women who left their jobs for a longer period of time and will limit their chances to find work later.