President Komorowski fronts 'pro-family' programme

President Bronislaw Komorowski (2R) at the Upper Silesian Museum in Bytom: photo - PAP/Andrzej Grygiel

“The situation has been bad for many years and now is the last chance to take effective action,” Komorowski said while in Bytom, southern Poland on Sunday.

The programme has been prepared by Irena Woycicka, a former deputy minister of labour (1991-94) who currently serves in the president's office.

Figures prepared by the Central Statistical Office (GUS) indicate that by 2030, there will only be two Polish workers to each pensioner – currently there are four to each pensioner.

Anxiety over the demographic drop prompted Prime Minister Donald Tusk's centre-right government to raise the age of retirement to 67 for both sexes in a controversial 2012 amendment.

Komorowski is set to lead consultations about the new programme, named 'A good atmosphere for families', with leaders of Poland's parliamentary clubs, employers and social affairs groups.

Woycicka's programme includes some 44 recommendations on creating more conducive circumstances for would be parents.

Among the proposals is a potential overhaul of the tax system, creating a tax-free amount for parents in relation to the number of children that a family has.

This would replace the current system of child allowance, which is also calculated according to the number of children.

Other proposals include the so-called 'cards for large families' concept. This would see reductions in fees for public services for large families. Likewise, a nationwide system could be introduced that would allow for a network of flats to be rented at moderate, controlled prices for big families. (nh)

source: PAP