Over 20,000 people may lose their jobs due to retail tax

The Polish retail network Lewiatan estimates that up to 23,000 people employed in small shopping businesses may become unemployed after the new retail tax comes into effect. Representatives of the firm also declared that the implementation of the tax in its current state will be negative for Polish trade. "This bill was meant to defend Polish businesses and cause foreign firms transferring profits abroad to start paying their taxes in Poland. Instead...we have a bill which places the largest burden on Polish franchise networks, especially small and medium commercial businesses." In an open letter to the Prime Minister and the government, the firm indicated that the corresponding profit loss of 0,3-1 percent that will come with the implementation of this tax will threaten many shops with bankruptcy. The government announced a tax on retailers in January, designed to obtain more money from foreign-owned businesses such as Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA and Tesco plc. It plans to gain an additional PLN 2 billion in government funds as a result.