278,000 children to be born as a result of 500+ program - Labor Ministry

Deputy Minister of Labor Bartosz Marczuk said that 278,000 children more will be born in the next ten years as a result of the 500+ benefit program. Marczuk also told the Polish Press Agency (PAP) that the program may be an incentive for its beneficiaries, mainly women, to quit their jobs. "It can eventually lead people to retire from work or discourage them from looking for a job. We do not know that yet, but this is not our goal. Within a year, we will review how the law affects the labor market." Under the program, the government plans to hand out PLN 500 per month for every child in a family whose per capita income is lower than PLN 800 per month and for every second and subsequent child, regardless of family income. It is set to be introduced in April 2016. The sum is aimed at all parents, including single parents and is not subject to taxes. As many as 2.7 million families are eligible to participate in the program.