Family

“Family 500+” is one of our key programmes. Since the introduction of the programme (in April 2016), over PLN 114 billion has been distributed to families. Since July of 2019, all children up to 18 years of age have been included in the Programme, regardless of their family income. Until now, the support covers nearly 6.5 million children. – The programme allows families to invest in their children’s education, leisure and further development. There is nothing more important than investing in our children, our common future - says Minister Marlena Maląg.

“Family 500 Plus” is not the only measure aimed at children. We should also mention the “Good Start” programme, which is a one-off benefit for all children, which amounted to PLN 2.67 billion between 2018 and 2019. 4.5 million school students receive the benefit.

In addition, we have introduced the “Toddler+” programme, helping to develop the network of nurseries and children's clubs. That programme allowed us to establish 42.6 new care spots for children up to 3 years of age between 2016 and 2019. This year, we plan to create 24.8 new care spots. The annual budget of the programme amounts to a total of PLN 450 million.

We continue to support large families. We are developing the Big Family Card, a system of discounts and additional rights for families with at least three children. Over 988 thousand families use the Big Family Card. A rich system of discounts offered by over 7.2 thousand companies and institutions and nearly 27 thousand locations in Poland. Since 2018, the Card has been available as a convenient mobile application.

- Our actions bring tangible results. In accordance to the data collected by the Central Statistical Office in the previous year, extreme poverty in Poland has reduced to 4.2% from 5.4% noted in 2018. That is the best result since 2006 - says Minister Marlena Maląg. The Minister also pointed out that the decrease of extreme poverty pertained to nearly all social groups, regardless of their age or the type of household.

Seniors

We have shown numerous times that we listen to the voice of seniors. In 2017, we fulfilled our most important promise made to them, which was to restore the retirement age - 60 years for women and 65 years for men.

The “Pension Plus” programme is yet another example of the support programme for seniors, consisting in a one-off benefit in the amount of the minimum pension for all pensioners and annuitants. The total amount of the additional benefit issued between 2019 and 2020 amounted to PLN 22.5 billion and covers 9.8 million pensioners and annuitants. Importantly, since 2020, the additional benefit is included in the Act and issued each year. Additional applications are not required for that purpose.

We have also created adequate conditions for active life for seniors after retirement. Since 2018, we have been allocating a total of PLN 80 million for the implementation of the “Senior Plus” programme. In 2015, it amounted to PLN 30. In result, until the end of the previous year, 780 new “Senior Plus” houses and clubs were established which allow the elderly to enjoy a wide range of cultural, educational and sporting activities. Moreover, the elderly who remain in these facilities receive care and spend time in pleasant company.

Support for seniors also includes “75+ Care,” which aims to increase access to care services, including specialist services for the oldest seniors. That also includes the Government Programme for Social Participation of Senior Citizens, also known as GPSPSC (or ASOS in Polish). The programme involves co-financing for a variety of initiatives, such as educational classes, arts classes, sports classes, workshops allowing to obtain new skills, all of which serve to increase the quality of life of seniors. A total number of 1.4 thousand projects covering over 573 thousand participants have been carried out between 2016 and 2019. The total amount of support amounts to PLN 151.8 million. This year’s edition of the Government Programme for Social Participation of Senior Citizens involves co-financing of over 300 projects for a total amount of PLN 40 million.

Another key component of the support involves the “Mother 4+” programme. The programme allows persons who have resigned from a professional career to focus on raising several children and thus were unable to qualify for even the lowest retirement pensions to obtain supplementary benefit in the amount of the lowest pension. – Until today, we have granted 57 thousand benefits. It is not merely just financial assistance but also an expression of gratitude for those who have placed the well-being of their children over their own professional careers. We are not going to leave those persons without help - stressed Minister Maląg.

Persons with disabilities

In 2020, the expenditures for the support programmes for persons with disabilities will exceed over PLN 27 billion. In 2015, a total of PLN 15 billion was expended.

The support for persons with disabilities is not limited only to financial assets and large programmes. It also involves a number of measures in the area of professional and social rehabilitation. It is also important to ensure that our support is not only comprehensive but also long-lasting.

That is why we have established the Solidarity Fund (previously known as Solidarity Fund for Persons with Disabilities), which aims to provide social, professional, health and financial support for persons with disabilities. The funds have been used, among others, for financing respite care for the carers of the person with disabilities, financing care services or establishing care and housing centres.

The “Personal Assistant for Persons with Disabilities” programme was launched last year under the find, which allows persons with disabilities to receive support in carrying out their daily duties and daily social functioning.

In addition, we are also increasing the benefits for persons with disabilities. An example: social pension – amounts to PLN 1 200 since March of 2020. The care allowance has also increased for the first time in 12 years, followed by the special care allowance and the allowance for the carer.

In October of 2019, we have also introduced new regulations for the supplementary benefit for persons who are incapable of independent living. That is PLN 500 in monthly support, which - in accordance with the estimates - will be granted to 800 thousand persons. We allocate PLN 4.5 billion each year for various benefits.

Labour

The salaries of Poles are also steadily growing. In 2015, the minimum salary was PLN 1750, while in the current year it has increased to PLN 2600. That is almost PLN 350 more in comparison to the previous year, and also an increase by PLN 850 in comparison to 2015. In addition, due to the changes in the law, the minimum wage does not include seniority allowance, overtime pay and night shift pay, as well as jubilee bonus as well as severance pay.

Along with the minimum wage, the minimum hourly rate for persons employed on the basis of civil law contracts introduced in 2017 has also increased. The changes were intended to offset the abuse of the so-called “junk contracts” and to provide protection for employees with the lowest salaries. In the first year after introducing the new regulations, the minimum hourly rate was PLN 13. The current rate is PLN 17.

Another important step improving the work conditions of employees and against illegal employment was to eliminate the “first pay syndrome.” Since 2016, the employer is obliged to conclude a written agreement with an employee before permitting the person to work.

According to the Eurostat data, in May of the current year, the unemployment rate in Poland amounted to 3 percent. That is well below the EU average of 6.7 percent. Poland placed second among the EU countries with the lowest unemployment rate. – Despite the fact that the data is optimistic, it does not reduce our alertness. In particular during the worldwide crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, we must keep our eyes wide open and react to any worrying symptoms in due time. We have managed to avoid the worst-case scenarios in Poland only due to the fast and wise decisions - said Minister Marlena Maląg, stressing that approximately PLN 113.5 have been awarded under the anti-crisis, financial and relief shields, allowing to save approximately 5 million jobs.