Poland

Solidarnosc wants the government to take a different approach to pay in the health service. The union argues that the pay of professional groups should be set more systematically and linked in some way to average earnings. At the moment there are widespread disputes over pay and, according to the union, the government is making matters worse by dealing with each professional group separately rather than negotiating across the whole of the health service. Read more at > Solidarnosc (EN)

Federations covering all the main sectors within the Solidarnosc confederation came together this month to demand higher pay for public sector workers. With food and energy price rises exceeding pay increases for many public sector workers, Solidarnosc leader Janusz Sniadek talked about the importance of solidarity to support the protests of individual groups of workers for higher pay. Read more at > Solidarnosc (EN)

This year has seen continuing strikes and demonstrations over pay by doctors and nurses, as reported by the EIRO industrial relations observatory. Over 200 hospitals were hit by strike action over the summer, as doctors demanded a collective agreement. Nurses also staged widespread protests over low pay in the sector. Both groups of workers have called for increased health funding and have highlighted the problem of emigration of skilled workers. Read more at > EIRO (EN)

A round-up of the latest news on pay in Poland by the German social democratic foundation, the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, shows many sectors pushing for higher pay as unemployment has fallen and emigration increased. Doctors and nurses have been particularly active in demonstrating for higher wages in the health sector, where the government has neglected the issue of wages for many years. The report also highlights a job security agreement covering 70,000 workers in state energy companies. The government proposes to merge 15 companies to form four groups and has offered job security until 2018 or high levels of compensation in the event of redundancy. Read more at > Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (DE)

Nurses, doctors and other health workers have been demonstrating and taking strike action around the country in a campaign to win higher pay. So far the government has offered to increase pay by 15% over the next three years. A group of around 200 nurses has been camped outside the prime minister’s office for several weeks with a small number even briefly threatening a hunger strike over the issue. Read more at > Reuters (EN)

Three trade unions organising health workers are pushing the government to agree higher healthcare spending and pay increases in 2006. They also want to see improved working conditions based on legal regulations. The unions have given the government until 16 June to respond to their demands and promised further and more radical protest action if there is no progress. Read more at > Solidarnosc (EN)

The EIRO industrial relations observatory reports that healthcare workers organised a national demonstration in April to support their demand for a 30% pay increase. Although the government has not rejected demands for higher pay completely it argues that its 2006 budget doesn’t allow for any increase and so any possibility for higher pay will have to wait until 2007. Read more at > EIRO

A review of restructuring in the energy sector by the industrial relations observatory EIRO shows that workers have managed to secure job security agreements lasting between five and 10 years. These include companies which have been taken over by the Belgian, French, German and Swedish energy firms - Electrabel, RWE, EDF and Vattenfall. Read more at > EIRO

A recent study on social dialogue in Poland indicates that levels of union membership and coverage by collective agreements remain high in the public sector. However, workers in health and education are face worse pay and conditions than those available in the private sector. The study suggests that unions often form a common front with management in putting pressure on government to fund higher pay. Read more at > EIRO

A report by the Labour Inspectorate provides statistics on infringements of Labour law. While generally public sector employers were less likely to offend that the private sector they were more likely to be guilty of late payment of wages and other benefits. Read more at > EIRO

The Polish parliament has just agreed a new formula for increases in the national minimum wage. The EIRO industrial relations observatory reports that it will rise in line with prices plus half the growth in GDP until it reaches 50% of the national average wage. The rate is currently around 210 euros and is the equivalent of 35% of the average wage. Read more at > EIRO

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