OPZZ plan to combat unemployment criticized by Fin Min Balcerowicz

On Friday the Sejm discussed the current situation on the Polish job market which includes soaring unemployment figures, especially among young people. To tackle the problem, the government wants to bolster privatization, cut red tape and lower taxes for entrepreneurs. Both the opposition and government agree that unless new workplaces are created, unemployment figures may even hit 15%. However, each party has a different idea for combating the problem. The opposition National Trade Union's Alliance (OPZZ), which drafted its own plan called 'Pact for Work', called for the creation of training schemes, large-scale home building and cutting the current amount of working hours to 40 per week. The draft was criticized by Finance Minister Leszek Balcerowicz who said the job market requires a rigorous macroeconomic policy and curbing the public finance sector's debt. Speaking to the opposition, Balcerowicz said, "You want to follow the examples of Russia, Belarus and Greece, where socialist governments caused 10 years of crisis. The Sejm will next decide whether to repel OPZZ's draft or forward it to the Sejm's legislative commission. (Gazeta Wyborcza, May 13-14, page 3) P.S.