One of the topics discussed was experience and good practice in raising social standards.

Minister Elżbieta Rafalska pointed out that in the face of challenges such as the negative effects of the financial and economic crisis, various dimensions of globalisation, transformation on the labour market resulting from technology development and ageing societies, recently, social aspects have become an important point of reference in shaping a number of policies in the European Union. Unfortunately, there is often an unjustified assumption that our part of Europe is deliberately lowering social standards and conducting the so-called social dumping, in order to increase its competitiveness artificially.

“The European Union is diverse in terms of economic development, including wages and income, as well as traditions of social models and social standards. Citizens and companies in our part of Europe, working and providing services in the EU, are accused of 'social dumping' as they often win competition with local players,” Minister Rafalska emphasised.