High unemployment and cost cutting contribute to falling average incomes

A report published by Rzeczpospolita and the AG Test consulting firm claims that the average Pole now earns less than a year ago. The salaries of company presidents fell on average by 8% to zł.18,000 a month, while their employees on average receive zł.2,000, 4% less than last year. "Entrepreneurs constantly cut their costs last year. They looked for savings among those that earn the most, that is management," commented Bogdan Wyżnikiewicz of the Institute of Market Economy Research. The study also showed that Mazovia region boasts the highest salaries and revealed that the level of salaries in foreign companies is much higher than in domestic firms, something that is especially noticeable with regard to members of management boards. According to Andrzej Woźniakowski from the Capgemini consulting firm, salaries will begin to increase only when the unemployment rate falls to 8-9%, as the current 19% rate means employers are always able to find workers who will accept lower pay. (Rzeczpospolita, pp.A1, A3) E.B.