Minister Maląg summarised the measures taken by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki's Government to counteract the economic effects of the pandemic. – From the onset, we have been providing quick and effective support to Polish enterprises, saving companies and jobs – Minister Maląg said. – We have allocated record funding in the total amount of PLN 185 billion for this purpose, which allowed to save 6.5 million jobs.

These measures have had direct positive effect on the situation in the labour market. The unemployment rate, which had long remained at 6.1%, has now increased only slightly. – Such increase is typically noted in January, as it is related to the seasonal nature of certain jobs – Minister Maląg explained.

She also added that economic forecasts are optimistic. The anti-crisis measures consequently carried out have been noticed and positively evaluated by the International Monetary Fund. Poland is well-prepared for the recovery period. Experts state that the implementation of the support programmes has been generally been fast and effective, and thus should help to limit the long-term negative effects of the pandemic on the economy. The factual situational picture, based on reliable data, is also noted by the European Commission, which has presented very good data for Poland. Poland is listed among the leading countries with very high financial and economic credibility.

– We did not leave people who had lost their jobs without support – the minister said. – We issued a solidarity allowance, and we raised the unemployment benefit. There are no hindrances in the implementation of the social programmes we had started – for the youngest, such as “Family 500+” or “Good Start” as well as for the elderly, such as the package “Pension+” package, which consists of an exceptionally high valorisation of benefits and includes the so-called 13th and 14th pensions. We support and will continue to support young people who wish to start a family and decide to have children. These are the material and permanent foundations stemming from the implementation of the Strategy for Responsible Development announced and implemented by the government of the United Right.

– The Polish government makes sure that our economy experiences the effects of the pandemic as little as possible – emphasised Olga Semeniuk, Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Economic Development, Labour and Technology.
She also reminded that last year, the government supported over 300 thousand entrepreneurs, who benefited from various support instruments under the financial and anti-crisis shields. The latest shield 2.0, launched on 15 January, is targeted mainly at SMEs. Another 5 billion PLN will be granted towards enterprises in the lockdown phase. Deputy Minister Semeniuk also announced new programmes that will be introduced soon by Prime Minister Morawiecki's Government - “National Recovery and Resilience Plan” and “New Polish Deal.”

The President of the Social Insurance Institution, Professor Gertruda Uścińska emphasised the exceptionally important role played by the Institution during all of these activities, by implementing, among others, the key benefit involving contributions exemptions. – We have allocated PLN 13 billion for that purpose, but the effects are clearly visible. By the end of last year, the Department registered 2.5 million contributors, that is 55 thousand more in comparison to February of the previous year. 240 thousand entrepreneurs benefited from other support mechanisms – apart from the Shield. The time limit for paying contributions were postponed for 294 entities, while 5 million people were issued with idle time benefits. The payment of care benefits for children under 8 is a unique solution on a European scale.