Ministry of Finance could sink "Kluska Package"

First, the zł.20 billion earmarked to fund the proposed cut in disability insurance premiums is under threat as Andrzej Lepper and Roman Giertych want to use it to fund new benefits and tax breaks for pensioners and families with children instead. Now the "Kluska package", the long-awaited and much-touted raft of bills to enhance business freedom, also appears to be unraveling in the face of opposition from the Ministry of Finance. Instead of fewer inspections at companies it now looks as though there will be more; establishing a new company will last at least five days, rather than 3 days as promised; and seasonal businesses will be forced to continue paying social insurance premiums for the entire year. It is still not clear when the package will come into force though, as just two of the several score laws making up the package are ready. Even if Parliament fast-tracks the rest and the law is signed by the President, there is no suitable IT system in place at tax offices to implement many of the changes. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 28) R.M.