Raising the roof
The bill, which was opposed by the center-right Civic Platform (PO), raises the minimum wage not only in line with inflation rates, but also by two-thirds of annual GDP growth. PO's likely partner in a coalition after this September's elections, Law and Justice (PiS), supported the measure.
"Now 40 percent of our 20-year-olds are unemployed, and this will further limit their access to jobs," PO leader Jan Rokita told parliament, calling for a stop to pre-election handouts.
But PiS representatives said that Poland must distribute the wealth created since the 1989 more equally, and boost the minimum wage - which now amounts to zł.849 per month, or about 35 percent of the Polish average wage. The bill envisions a gradual rise to zł.1,200, increasing by zł.36 next year. Without the bill, it would rise by zł.13. (Reuters)
"Now 40 percent of our 20-year-olds are unemployed, and this will further limit their access to jobs," PO leader Jan Rokita told parliament, calling for a stop to pre-election handouts.
But PiS representatives said that Poland must distribute the wealth created since the 1989 more equally, and boost the minimum wage - which now amounts to zł.849 per month, or about 35 percent of the Polish average wage. The bill envisions a gradual rise to zł.1,200, increasing by zł.36 next year. Without the bill, it would rise by zł.13. (Reuters)
