The labour market and enterprise organisation

Over the last 13 years economic changes have meant colossal changes in the mentality of Polish employees. Above all they have learned to respect their own as well as others' work. Together with the end of the state's protectionist policies in 1989 Poles have learnt that work is not something that always comes easily and that it is something necessary to value. Today, the effects of these changes are visible. People who have jobs tend to work well because they know that the fruits of their labour reflect on them alone. Poland is by European standards, a young and increasingly well-educated society, ready to raise its qualifications.

Employment policy has been consistently implemented in Poland since the start of the 1990s. As early as that the basic aim was identified as defending the unemployed and those threatened with unemployment against the effects of unemployment, activating unemployed people to look for work, and above all, creating new jobs. The first minister of labour who had to face the problem of unemployment was Jacek Kuroń. To today he is still one of the most popular politicians in Poland. From his name the word "kuroniówka" is popularly used for dole money. Public employment services had to be created more or less from scratch. Today, their structure, aims and work methods are similar to those structures active in EU countries.
Poland, in preparing for full integration with the EU, treats the labour market as a priority. In the National Programme of Preparation for Membership in the European Union, accepted by the Council of Ministers in May 1999, methods for resolving problems on the labour market were introduced in line with those operating in the EU. Rising unemployment - amongst other things due to a demographic explosion and slower economic growth - has induced the government to undertake new activity in this area.

A part of this has been the "Work First" programme designed above all for Middle School leavers. In 2002, 900,000 such school leavers arrived on the labour market. It is expected that about 520,000 of them will need help entering the labour market - activity outlined in the programme is designed for them specifically. The "Work First" programme is an integral part of the government's socio-economic programme for 2003-2005. It is an important addition to the "Enterprise above all" programme and the best chance for getting school leavers ready for work and creating new jobs.
Research indicates that after Poland's entry into the EU the European labour market will not - despite the fears of some EU members - be flooded by Polish workers. Despite the attractiveness of the EU labour market Poles are not inclined to leave their own country for good. Seasonal work may be attractive, but leaving the country to find work does not appeal to all Poles. Young, educated Poles have a much greater chance of finding well paid work in their own country and tend to be unwilling when deciding on permanent foreign trips. However, study trips abroad are very popular, with grants to study in the EU or the USA. Poles have on many occasions in their history co worked with Western European states. Young people also often work in companies with foreign capital, where they learn to adapt to the standards expected of employees in such places. Employers familiar with work methods in the EU also willingly use them in Poland.

Employers" organisations are very active in Poland. Among them it is worth mentioning the Confederation of Polish Employers, the Polish Confederation of Private Employers and the Business Centre Club. Their representatives take part in many Sejm commissions, offer opinions on legislation, make corrections to draft legislation touching the activities of companies, tax and labour market regulations that have a big impact on the key legislation for the economy as a whole and public finances. Employers organisations are also an important partner in the social dialogue conducted by the Tripartite Commission.

In this dialogue, alongside employers and government representatives are trade unions. The role of these organisations in Poland is specific, due to their massive role in initiating and realising the process of system change. The strikes of Polish workers on the Baltic Coast in August 1980 led to the setting up of the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union (NSZZ) "Solidarity" and many of its activists have co-created subsequent governments and political parties. Farming unions and organisations are also very strong in Poland. The second largest union is the OPZZ, connected with the social democratic wing in Polish politics. Farming organisations and unions are also very strong in Poland.

Reborn after 1989 economic self-governing bodies have developed very intensively. The National Chamber of Commerce, the highest organ of the economic self-governing movement in Poland, has more than half a million enterprises conducting economic activity in the country. Economic self-governing bodies represent the interests of Polish enterprises in their relations with central and local governments as well as in cooperating with parliament in the field of advising on new legal rules in the economy. They also deal with trade missions in Poland and abroad, exhibitions and trade fairs and other forms of promoting entrepreneurial and foreign trade