Employment law violations on the increase but average fine decreases last year

In 1998 there were 92,657 reported violations of the employment law. In 1999, the figure was higher at 105,392. Fines for 1998 and 1999 amounted to zl.22 million and zl. 14.5 million respectively. The average fine in 1998 was zl. 740, but was only zl. 500, in 1999. Many employers are avoiding signing proper employment contracts. In 1998 there were 962 such violations, but in 1999 there were only 719. The number of employers prosecuted was 51 in 1998 and 44 in 1999. (Prawo i Gospodarka, page 10) M.M. Lucznik's workers to stage illegal demonstration in Warsaw over wage delays More than 500 employees from the armaments plant Lucznik will be demonstrating today in Warsaw. They are demanding government help to save the plant from bankruptcy. The protest is illegal because the organizers did not submit the appropriate motion for registration to local authorities. This has to be done three weeks prior to a demonstration. Work at Lucznik stopped on Monday. The employees are also protesting against delays in receiving their wages. They have not received their March and April wages, and have only received part of February's. The plant's debts are about zl.150 million. The striking workers are demanding a restructuring program for Lucznik that would involve no job losses and guarantee orders from the military. (Zycie, page 8) A.D.