The Check is in the Mail: Polish Employers Paying Late?
The Check is in the Mail: Polish Employers Paying Late?
News Poland
by Jordan Seidel
"I haven't been paid since April," laments Pani 'X.' Her colleague joins in "Yes, it's very difficult."
Lately in conversations with Poles about various topics from holiday plans to new babies, a common complaint is emerging across the social spectrum: Polish employees aren't being paid on time. I listened to Pani X describe her situation, she knew she was being exploited and yet for someone who hadn't been paid in 3 months, she was smiling as if those backlogged bills didn't matter. In the past, this reaction would have puzzled me to the point of irritation. Why isn't anger the primary response? How can this happen? You're being taken advantage of! Let's get on the phone to a lawyer and sort things out! A couple of years ago, this would have been my reflexive diatribe. But now I understand Pani X's understated response to be a necessary adaptation to a complicated economic situation (and an avoidance of ulcers and premature balding).
According to a
European Foundation report by Polish State Labour Inspection (Państwowa Inspekcja Pracy) on Polish pay practices, in 2001, [I]nspectors found that pay regulations were
violated in 62% of the audited enterprises. The average amount of back wages amounted to PLN 1,000 per employee in these enterprises, representing a growth of 34% over the previous year.
When asked why they pay their employees late, the report indicated "45% of employers pointed to cash-flow problems, which they said were caused by customers not meeting their commitments on time." Finger pointing is understandable. Afterall, it's hard to blame your employer for not paying you when they can simply shrug their shoulders and blame someone else.
According to other reports, the problem can't be resolved by simply proposing more regulations (And who would pay for stricter enforcement anyway?). It appears that the root cause is not an illegal intent to withhold money, rather, the economic situation in Poland is such that both employers (mid to small) and employees face economic hardships alike. Until a turnaround occurs it appears that Pani X is on to something when it comes to delayed payments -- Poles must simply grin and bear it.
Useful Links:1)
European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions: Practices such as delayed payment of wages and failure to make social security contributions on employees' pay are
relatively widespread among Polish employers. (Report in
Polish)
2)
European Industrial Relations Observatory on-line: Surveys of private sector enterprises in Poland have found a growing tendency among employers to
delay the payment of wages in recent years.
3)
The Polish Central Statistical Office (Główny Urząd Statystyczny, GUS) - In
English, In
Polish.
4)
Latest Stats on Polish Men and Women in the Labor Market -->
HERE 5)
The Institute of Polish Public Affairs (IPA) --->
HERE
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Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
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FAIR USE NOTICE This article contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in the efforts to advance understanding of Poland's economic, environmental, human rights, political, scientific, and social justice issues, among others. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this article is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes.
PolBloglet: Neo 'Matka Polka' -- Nurse as Mother Nature in Poland
PolBloglet: Neo 'Matka Polka' -- Nurse as Mother Nature in Poland
News Poland
Another PolBloglet
Following up on the Polish Plumber campaign, Poland's Tourist Board decided to promote the country's natural beauty by using a Polish nurse as an icon. The stereotypical connection between women and nature continues in this Polish ad. On one hand, it's 100% fact that Poland has beautiful natural scenery (from the beaches in the north, to the outstanding lake district in the middle, and the mountains in the south) and many potential tourists should seriously consider including Poland on their summer holiday itineraries. But on the other hand, the connection the ad makes between women, nature, and their traditional, and professional roles as caregivers does nothing to improve the image of Polish women. These images are trading on stereotypes that further reinforce the already anachronistic picture of Polish society held by many in the West, just in order to profit from tourism. Does the end justify the means?
I wonder what Polish nurses think about this? Especially since the reality behind the image of Polish healthcare is a tad different. And another question, are Polish nurses up to EU standards?
I'm awaiting you
Source: Radio Polonia
FAIR USE NOTICE This article contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in the efforts to advance understanding of Poland's economic, environmental, human rights, political, scientific, and social justice issues, among others. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this article is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes.
Poland - Going from Bad to Worse in London
Poland - Going from Bad to Worse in London
Jaded for freeby Jordan SeidelAccording to the latest news (TVN24),
24 Poles are reportedly 'missing' in London. The photo-poster of at least one
missing Pole hangs at the deadliest site (King's Cross). If those 24 Poles turn out to be fatalities, it would likely represent the single largest loss of Polish nationals since the bad old days of the Warsaw Uprising.
One of the added terror effects of picking a city like London to bomb is its diversity. With over 200 languages spoken in the almost 2,000 year old city, a strategically placed bomb is likely to make its tragic mark felt in several countries simultaneously. Just for some perspective, according to UK transportation officials over 2 million people ride The Tube and another third of a million take buses each day. The entire population of Warsaw is moved through the London transportation net each day. In fact, to observe a typical work day on the streets in London is to experience a microcosm of not only Europe (both illegal and legal), but of the world as well -- and the tensions within such a world.
What this points to is a tragic irony of our time for the EU -- that greater mobility for the East to the West brings greater physical risk - that those leaving Poland for a better life (temporarily apparently) are headed right into the epicenter of European terror.
My job brings me into contact with many Poles daily. And the opinion that "Poland is paying for Iraq yet again" can be heard, and it hurts moreso since England is one of the few EU countries that allows Poles to work legally in its territory and that supported the USA invasion of Iraq. Even when Polish troops pull out of Iraq, more frightening consequences were possibly foretold last week in England's capital, and newly awarded 2012 Summer Games city.
I just wonder how Poles really interpret the situation right now. Did they ever think that joining the EU also meant the possibility of being blown up taking the Metro from Kabaty to work in the morning? Will the latest violence in London encourage a generation of Brits to come to Poland for greater security? Will the current mayor of Warsaw, Lech Kaczyñski be given a ratings boost by security conscious Poles thanks to the London bombings? It's too early to tell, but one thing is certain, terrorism is no longer just a candidate for EU membership.
UPDATE [7/11/2005]: Number of missing Poles in London down to 17, according to the Polish Foreign Ministry.
**Editor's Note: Link to Muslim reactions to the London Bombings
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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
Read the news then share your views
FAIR USE NOTICE This article contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in the efforts to advance understanding of Poland's economic, environmental, human rights, political, scientific, and social justice issues, among others. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this article is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes.
News Poland
in from
CNN:
Marcin Stefanski was in the carriage next to the one which exploded. He said he saw bodies piled in the blast-strewn wreckage.
He told PA: "I just experienced a huge explosion and the glass hitting me in my back. People started screaming around me, there was glass everywhere, we couldn't breathe, there was no way to get off the train."
Stefanski, a 24-year-old student who recently moved to the UK from Poland, was among many passengers covered in soot and coughed repeatedly as he relived his experience.
"I was in the front of the first carriage and there was a huge, massive hole in the carriage.
"As I went past the second carriage I could just see the bodies lying all over the floor."
Full story:
CNN.com - Witnesses tell of subway horror - Jul 7, 2005 View: The Poles I spoke with today (Warsaw) are more on edge and concerned about terrorism coming to their doorsteps. One of them blamed this on support for USA in Iraq. Another was sure that Poland is too poor to be a target, and wondered if the terrorists actually knew where Poland was. Several knew people in London, they didn't know their condition at this time. It's ashame this had to happen, and a day after London won the Olympic bid -- Now more than ever, the EU must find the will to press on with the integration process.
**
Editor's Note: Wikipedia has an entry about the 7/7/2005
London Bombings.
FAIR USE NOTICE This article contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in the efforts to advance understanding of Poland's economic, environmental, human rights, political, scientific, and social justice issues, among others. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this article is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes.
Jaded For free: Kaczyñski - What Does Brussels have to do with Poland?
Jaded For free: Kaczyñski - What Does Brussels have to do with Poland?
Jaded for free
By Jordan SeidelFor the past 2 weeks we have run a Poll asking our PolBloggers "
If a presidential election were held today, would you vote for Lech Kaczyñski?" A decisive majority of participants (over 80%) indicated that they would
not vote for Kaczyñski, while only 6% voted 'yes.' Another 6% indicated that they would vote for Kaczyñski because he "represents the least of evils." Based on my private conversations with people on this issue, which is rather pressing since this is an election year in Poland, the result was predictable. Living in Warsaw, and unable to speak with most Poles (language barrier), I can say that most of the Poles I do speak with (in English) are fairly liberal-leaning. Most of them were disgusted by Mayor Kaczyñski's banning of the Gay Pride Parade last month -- in defiance, it took place anyway (even though none of these liberal folks actually attended the parade themselves). I read a
recent interview with the Major and he didn't sound half bad. He is against a flat tax, he wants a stronger Poland when it comes to Russia, he rejects the EU Constitution as currently written (so did France and Netherlands), he supports a more independent Poland within the EU integration plan, and he says he will stop corruption (which every Pole I meet complains about). So, why all the *extra-long faces?
I have no idea. I don't have the added input of reading how the local press presents Mayor Kaczyñski, but my impression is that in their heart of hearts most Poles would vote for him. These liberal Poles are actually quite the closet neo-cons -- they aren't so very liberal to the end, afterall, how many sincerely support a legal abortion law? How many of them can actually point to a family member who listens to Radio Maria? Or reflexively think that Pope John Paul II is beyond reproach (-- from non-Poles)? Accuracy aside, I think many of them would share Kaczyñski's pragmatism when it comes to integrating into the EU -- and at the very least most are highly ambivalent.
I was discussing this issue last night with a young Polish man who works at a gonzo multi-national bank here. His supposedly killer 'argument' against the Mayor was summed up in two words - 'homosexualists parade.' I suggested that if the Mayor would simply fix the walk-over bridge (which is hideous) in my neck of the Warsaw woods, near Promenada, I would enthusiasitically vote for him. "But what about his mentality?" bickered the young Pole. Just then I imagined a gay Pole and a straight Pole walking past each other as they were crossing the newly renovated Promenada bridge. This practical and shared concern unites people across divides. It seems that many of these younger, closet neo-cons have retained their grand-parent's social policy genes, and their parent's patriotism. That is, they don't necessarily despise government as an actor in pubic life, and most don't want to live permanently abroad (though many want to work or travel abroad). But they also picked up something new -- they are the ones who scoff at McDonalds. What really counts to Poles is what people do for you, and not what they say they will do for you. Everything that Mayor Kaczyñski says he will do is consistent with what Poles would like to see happen. So, why, in their public hearts do they contradict themselves? We have an idiom in English "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater." Babies can grow up, and water can be filtered -- follow your hearts.
*I say 'extra'-long because most of the time the faces are already long - Foreigner observation.
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PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
Read the news then share your views
FAIR USE NOTICE This article contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in the efforts to advance understanding of Poland's economic, environmental, human rights, political, scientific, and social justice issues, among others. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this article is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes.
We are all gays?
We are all gays?
News Poland
by Wojciech Rogacin
"Being Gay in Poland" at the monthly meeting."My name is Matthew, I'm gay."
This confession is nothing strange in... let's say... California. But it is nearly an act of a heroism in Poland. Still especially when you make the confession in front of your family. Or when you are assaulted on the street just because you are a gay.
That was the revelation of Matthew who was the presenter at another
Consilience Forum meeting at the Pasta Cafe (Kamionkowska 48a), Warsaw, last Tuesday. An activist of the
Forum Against Homophobia, Matthew tried to present all the myths and realities about being gay in Poland.
Surprisingly, there were not too many participants this time at the Cafe. And even the plates full of fruits didn't make the discussion lighter or sweeter. The main point of disagreement between Matthew and some in the audience was the provocative elements present during gay parades. For him Polish parades are nothing more than an opportunity to show to the society that gays are living among them and they need certain rights. It is a way to say "We're here. We exist."
Thanks Matthew!
For his opponents, parades are only strenghtening stereotypes about gays in Poland as obscene people demanding more and more rights. As Matthew said, in Poland the discussion about gay rights started just five or so years ago. In the West it's 20 years old.
Anyway, all this stuff is not so black-and-white as one would want to see it. For example I don't like the expressions made by
Jacek Zakowski in “Polityka" magazine that “
we are all gays." But on the other hand I remember when I was assaulted and hit in my face by a drunk man at Wola one winter night, some year and a half ago. He attacked me just because I wore a scarf that protected my head against snow and wind. For this man the person who wears a scarf on the head is either a woman or a gay. So in his vision I was simply a gay, and his philosophy was that when you are a gay it's OK to harm you.
So I can truly say: it's not easy to be a gay in Poland.
**
Editor's Note - Read about the history of
'Gay Poland' ******************************************************
PolBlog - News Poland 24/7
Poland's first (almost) daily English-language news blog.
Read the news then share your views
FAIR USE NOTICE This article contains copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in the efforts to advance understanding of Poland's economic, environmental, human rights, political, scientific, and social justice issues, among others. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material in this article is distributed without profit for research and educational purposes.
