Government's planned tax reforms unlikely to be challenged by unions

The government's tax reforms, aimed at boosting revenues by an additional $1 billion next year, will probably not be delayed by trade union consultations, the Finance Ministry and unions said yesterday. Under Polish law, tax changes have to be completed by the end of November to be binding the following year. But any changes are subject to non-binding consultation with trade unions, who have 30 days to evaluate any proposals. The Cabinet sent its tax proposals to parliament yesterday without officially consulting the trade unions. According to spokesman Marcin Kaszuba, "The Minister hopes that the unions will understand the situation and that there will be a broad consensus in favor of the changes." Kaszuba said consultations may take place during the bill's legislative process, a view echoed by Poland's two largest trade unions, Solidarity and OPZZ. "We will present our opinion during parliamentary committee discussions, hopefully next week," OPZZ chief Maciej Manicki told private Radio Zet. "On our side there will be no ill will," pledged Janusz Sniadek, deputy head of Solidarity. (Reuters)