Time is running out for the government, employers and trade unions to sign the list of jobs entitled for earlier retirement. Entrepreneurs hope that the government will withdraw the privileges for teachers which would cost PLN 20 billion (EUR 5.4 billion) over 25 years.
“We were sure that the new definition includes teachers. Meanwhile, just before the final protocole was signed, the deputy minister of labor Romuald Polinski said it was the other way round. That’s why we did not sign it”, Wieslawa Taranowska from OPZZ trade union said.
The government says it wasn’t like that.
“We agreed for teachers but only those really teaching. Trade unions wanted to add in the eleventh hour a provision providing the privilege school directors, and other people whose work is connected with schools”, minister Polinski explained.
Employers have yet a different opinion.
“We have reached agreement with the government providing for no earlier retirement for teachers. The government is aware of the fact that these privileges have no reason”, Wojciech Nagel representing Business Centre Club said.
The government asked its social partners to prepare a list of jobs entitled for earlier retirement before August 17th. They are not going to do this, however. Some experts believe that teachers will not get the privileges, others point out that the government has already promised them to teachers before.
(PLN 1 = EUR 0.264)