The first of today’s meetings was a debate on: “Social policy in the era of inflation. Is it profitable for us to invest in the family?” The conversation was attended by Minister Marlena Maląg, Daria Marczak from the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, Gertruda Uścińska, President of the Social Insurance Institution and Vincenzo Bassi, President of the Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe.

In the pandemic, we protected jobs and supported the economy by transferring funds, now we are addressing help to other groups of citizens. We care about the state budget and we tighten it, but first of all we care about Poles and we care about Poland being a strong state – said Minister Marlena Maląg.

Help in difficult times

The Minister mentioned that in the era of the energy crisis and hostilities behind our eastern border, which result in inflation, the government launched a number of measures supporting household budgets of Polish families. They are, first of all, the anti-inflation shield, reductions in taxes, inter alia, on energy carriers, fuel and food; inflation allowances for the poorest and credit holidays for families. In addition, the 14^th pensions, granted again in 2022 to the vast majority of pensioners, are being paid. An important element of the government’s activities are also investments in the family, with the “Family 500+” programme at the forefront.

The future of a strong state must be based on the family. Changing the way of thinking about the family is a process which must involve employers, self-governments and non-governmental organizations. We are working on specific solutions to support the family – stressed Minister Marlena Maląg.

The government of the United Right also addresses help to citizens of Ukraine who, after escaping from their war-torn homeland, found refuge in Poland. Inter alia, the procedures for employing citizens of Ukraine have been simplified.

The role of women in modern Europe

Minister Marlena Maląg also participated in the panel “Women of the Carpathians. The great role of women in modern Europe”. The discussion referred to the responsibility resting with women in public, family and professional life, as well as the importance of women in politics.

In her speech, Minister Marlena Maląg referred to the words of John Paul II, who had pointed out that the shape of freedom and democracy in Poland would also depend on women. That is why it is so important that during the period of raising children and reconciling various responsibilities, they get help and can make use of various facilities.

The situation of women in Poland is better than the statistical situation of women in the European Union. For the first time, the employment rate of women in Poland aged 20-64 was higher than the EU average last year, it is almost 70%. The salary gap in Poland is 4.5%, while in the EU it is as much as 13% – said Minister Marlena Maląg.

During this panel, Minister Marlena Maląg also stressed solidarity showed by Poles when opening their homes to guests from Ukraine, mostly mothers with children.

We are helping Ukraine in humanitarian and military terms, but also by opening up our labour market. At the end of August, less than 440 thousand people were employed under simplified procedures – says Minister Marlena Maląg.

The Ministry of Family and Social Policy is a partner of the 31^st Economic Forum in Karpacz.