Hausner says there is room for maneuver over controversial insurance payments

The Deputy Prime Minister Jerzy Hausner says that a compromise is possible over the increase in social insurance contributions being levelled at entrepreneurs. The opposition in the Sejm did not manage to quash the government's proposals and controversial amendments to the bill on the social insurance system will now be discussed by the Sejm commission working on the bills from the so-called Hausner plan. However, Hausner declared his intention to meet with entrepreneurs and discuss a possible compromise. He stated that the government wants to increase contributions for those with higher than average income and the compromise would center on the level of income at which higher contributions would be triggered. However, representatives from business are skeptical about Hausner's proposal. "We are against the principle of the government's proposal," said Jeremi Mordasewicz form the Polish Confederation of Private Employers (PKPP), "and I do not see a possibility of compromise about the principles." (Parkiet, p.8; Puls Biznesu, p.7) E.B.