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Poland's PM promises tax cuts and minimum wage

PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge 12.09.2015 17:26
Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz promised sweeping changes to Poland's tax, insurance and employment systems on Saturday during a convention of the ruling Civic Platform party, six weeks before the general election.
Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz speaks during Saturday's convention of the Civic Platform party. PAP/Jakub KaczmarczykPrime Minister Ewa Kopacz speaks during Saturday's convention of the Civic Platform party. PAP/Jakub Kaczmarczyk

Kopacz pledged to introduce a flat personal income tax rate (PIT) of 10 percent.

At present, the level is 18 percent for employees who earn between PLN 3,091 and 85,528, and 32 percent for those who earn more than PLM 85,528.

Meanwhile, she also promised to cut contributions to the National Health Fund (NFZ) and ZUS, Poland's main social insurance body.

In a further pledge, she proposed the introduction of a minimum hourly wage, which would be set at PLN 12 (just under EUR 3).

In yet one more appeal to voters, she unveiled plans for a single employment contract.

This would in effect eliminate Poland's controversial 'junk contracts'; temporary, fixed term contracts with no job security.

Opposition party Law and Justice

Meanwhile, conservative opposition party Law and Justice, which is currently beating Civic Platform in opinion polls, held its own convention on Saturday.

Beata
Beata Szydło speaks during Saturday's Law and Justice party convention. Photo: PAP/Tomasz Gzell

Beata Szydło, Law and Justice's candidate for prime minister, mirrored Civic Platform by offering a PLN 12 minimum wage.

She also promised 1.2 million new jobs for those up to 35 years of age in a scheme that would see the cooperation of local governments and entrepreneurs.

Both Law and Justice and Civic Platform have pledged to make medicine free for those over the age of 75. (nh/rk)

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