Labor Code, capital gains tax, Sunday trading, to be discussed by Senate

Today the Senate is to accept most of the amendments to the Labor Code, which were strongly criticized by employers' organizations. Senators have already stated that they will vote so that a third employment contract for a specified period of time will be automatically regarded as a normal full-time employment contract. The Senate will also accept an amendment which states that the first day of a sick leave will have to be paid for by the employer. It also seems very probable that supermarkets will still be able to remain open on Sundays. A proposition to ban Sunday trading was submitted by the Senate Commission, but it was strongly opposed by employers' associations. Also today the Senate is to decide on the date of the introduction of the capital gains tax. An amendment to the current plans was submitted which envisages the postponement of this tax until the end of 2005. A bill is also to be accepted today concerning entrepreneurs who will open a company in 2004 and at the same time be eligible to pay a flat rate tax. (Rzeczpospolita, p.A3; Parkiet, p. 1) A.K.