The celebration of the 105^th anniversary of the Public Employment Services was an opportunity to take stock of the achievements and experiences of employment services in Poland and to exchange views and good practices. The conference was attended by the Minister for Family, Labour and Social Policy Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, Deputy Minister Aleksandra Gajewska, Deputy Minister and Government Plenipotentiary for Disabled Persons' Affairs Łukasz Krasoń, Deputy Minister Katarzyna Nowakowska and Director General Liwiusz Laska.

Work is a source of pride

For the new government, work is a source of pride, not a cause for shame. Work is something to be appreciated, something to be boasted about. Therefore, with a symbolic gesture of restoring work to the name of the ministry, we began our term of office - said Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy, during the ceremony.  

The Minister expressed her appreciation and thanks to the employees of the Public Employment Services for their commitment and professionalism in carrying out tasks aimed at improving the situation on the labour market and increasing the employment opportunities of people in need of support, including young and elderly people at risk of social exclusion. She highlighted the challenges faced by employment services in the face of a pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the migration crisis.

It is very important to me that your work is appreciated, that you feel valued in your work, that your work serves the development of the Public Employment Service and the development of the labour market in Poland. Comprehensive and sustainable development, development that recognizes the need for equality between women and men in the labour market - says the minister. 

The labour market must not discriminate against anyone

The minister emphasised that Poland is currently facing demographic and economic challenges, but above all a greater emphasis on equality and combating discrimination on the labour market. The empowerment and independence of people with disabilities must be strengthened.   

A society and labour market that is diverse, that recognises, sees and exploits the potential of different social groups is a labour market that works to the benefit of society as a whole and the economy, the Minister for Family, Labour and Social Policy added. 

Tasks of the Public Employment Service

The Public Employment Service operates in 16 voivodship and 340 poviat employment offices with more than 20,500 employees. PES carry out the tasks of the state in the area of employment promotion and professional activation. PES also cooperate with social partners and European institutions, exchanging experiences and good practices.

The date of the creation of the Public Employment Service in Poland is considered to be January 27, 1919, when Marshal Józef Piłsudski established employment offices by decree. These were the first state-run employment and welfare offices to assist the unemployed, the poor, the economically inactive and migrants.