Poll shows growing economic pessimism with major redundancies predicted

The Central Statistical Office (GUS) has reported that the economic climate further worsened in December. Company directors from the processing, construction and retail trade sectors who were polled by GUS said they considered the economic situation to be worse than in any December since 1993. They complained about poor demand, both domestic and foreign, and about difficulties in collecting money owing to them. They were also pessimistic about the future, predicting massive layoffs and further falls in demand. According to analysts, no significant improvement is likely in most sectors within the next few months. (Prawo i Gospodarka, pp. 1, 3, 24) M.K.