With the participation of the President of the Republic of Poland – Andrzej Duda, on February 16, 2022, a plenary session of the Social Dialogue Council was held in the form of a video conference. The subject of the meeting included the impact of tax changes introduced by the Polish Ład on the situation of employees and entrepreneurs. The government side was represented by: Vice-President of the Social Dialogue Council Marlena Maląg – Minister of Family and Social Policy, Artur Soboń – Secretary of State in the Ministry of Finance,” Małgorzata Jarosińska-Jedynak – Secretary of State in the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy, Marzena Machałek – Secretary of State in the Ministry of Education and Science and Michał Wiśniewski – Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Development and Technology.

President Andrzej Duda in a short speech informed that he listens carefully to all voices and positions presented by employees and entrepreneurs.  He announced that he would monitor the course of work in the Ministry of Finance on a package of changes to the regulations regarding the Polish Governance. He expressed the hope that he would be presented with a comprehensive package of changes, developed in dialogue with all circles.

Subsequently, representatives of organizations that are part of the Social Dialogue Council presented comments and objections to the tax changes introduced by the Polish Ład. Among the problems raised were, m.in, the issue of extending the relief for the middle class to pensioners as well as the problem of the differentiated amount of health contributions. Attention was paid to the issue of new tax solutions for single parents. According to the trade unions, the previous tax system was a significant burden on the lowest earners. As a positive aspect, it was indicated to raise the tax-free amount to PLN 30,000 and raise the tax threshold to PLN 120,000.

The employers’ side called for the introduction of tax changes to be postponed to 2023 and the current time to be devoted to analyses and comments that resonate from the circles particularly affected by this reform. The negative impact of tax changes on the activities of medium and small businesses, including craftsmen, was emphasized.  Attention was drawn to the prevailing chaos due to the lack of uniform interpretation of the introduced changes. It called for in-depth analyses in this area and for a thorough public consultation.

Deputy Minister A. Soboń, taking the floor in the discussion, thanked for the comments, observations and suggestions. He pointed out that such major changes require serious and honest social dialogue. The areas indicated by the partners that raise many doubts will be analyzed by the Ministry of Finance. He stressed that the government will strive to develop a package of changes that will respond to the voices of employees and entrepreneurs.

Source: http://www.dialog.gov.pl/aktualnosci/art,1317,posiedzenie-plenarne-rady-dialogu-spolecznego.html

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