Fewer Sejm deputies want to shorten work week now that elections are over

Although the issue of shortening the work week was hotly debated before the Presidential elections, it now appears that most of the deputies once in favor of such a move have lost their enthusiasm. Neither the ruling Solidarity Election Action (AWS) nor the main opposition force, Democratic Left Alliance (SLD), are taking a clear stand on the issue. Although there are major trade union factions within both groups, there are probably just as many liberals who oppose a shorter working week. One factor which could have discouraged deputies from pursuing the issue was a poll by the Social Opinion Research Center (CBOS), according to which 72% of Poles believe that shortening the working week would negatively affect the economy. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p.12)