Business Centre Club critical of government amendments to Labor Code

The members of the Business Centre Club (BCC) criticized the government bill to amend the Labor Code and the act concerning personal income tax. In their opinion these laws are damaging to the economy and may delay Poland's entry into the European Union (EU). All the amendments to the Labor Code made during the last ten years have been in favor of the labor unions they say. They worry the most about the proposal to cut the work week from 42 to 40 hours and to eliminate work on Saturdays. Such changes will result in at least a 7% increase in labor costs when the Polish work force is already the most expensive in the region said BCC vice-president Jeremi Mordasewicz. If such changes are to be introduced he said a three year transition period is necessary. Also the overtime premiums should be reduced from 50% and 100% of wages to 25% and 50% consistent with EU directives. The BCC says Poland should also lower taxes as other EU countries have done. (Gazeta Wyborcza, page 23)