First group of former slave laborers collect compensation payments

Over 3,500 people yesterday collected their long-awaited compensation payments for unpaid slave labor during World War II. The figure represents just one third of the group comprising the oldest people exploited by the Nazis, who were the first to be notified by the Polish-German Reconciliation Fund (PGFP) of their entitlement. Also yesterday, the Bundestag extended the deadline for claimants to submit applications, from August 11 to December 31. It is believed that the number of people claiming compensation will rise from 1.2 million at present, to 1.5 million. It is estimated that out of between 10 million and 12 million former slave laborers, only 1.8 million are still alive. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A4) M.T.