Minister's proposed changes to labor code get unfriendly reception in SLD

Labor Minister Jerzy Hausner's idea to limit pensioners' right to work, together with a prognosis for a further rise in unemployment in March - up to 18.2% - was strongly criticized by the National Council of the ruling Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) on Saturday. "There is no way we can totally forbid pensioners from working," said Prime Minister Leszek Miller. The SLD's National Council also did not like the fact that Hausner had provoked anxiety among pensioners by introducing the proposed changes into public discussion without consulting with party members. The Council voted against the project. On Sunday Hausner promised that a new strategy for social policy would be prepared in few weeks. (Rzeczpospolita, pp. A1, A3) A.D.