Fin Min backs zł.17.5 billion family welfare program

The program was prepared by a special team headed by the Deputy Labor Minister Joanna Kluzik-Rostkowska and is based on three pillars. It assumes an increase in tax allowances for children, changes to the social insurance contribution system and the extension of maternity leave by two weeks. "The program is ready. I am waiting for confirmation from the Prime Minister that financing is secured," stated Kluzik-Rostkowska. The planned changes will be very costly, but Finance Minister Zyta Gilowska says that there will be no problem in finding the money for the program since the required funds will come from increased budget revenues resulting from high economic growth. (Rzeczpospolita, pp. A1, B1) E.B.