Regional Project on Labour Relations and Social Dialogue Annual Review 2014 Poland ­Labour Relations and Social Dialogue Author: Michał Polakowski 1 , Executive Summary Poland’s economy belongs to one of the fastest and steady developing in the EU. While unemployment rate has declined, the dire social situation continues, especially in terms of youth unemployment. Along very small dynamics of jobs creation, the real growth of wages is marginal. The labour market restructuring continues as the atypical employment is maintained, especially among the youngest workers. As in the previous years the public spending is driven by the paradigm of fiscal consolidation, strongly supported by the EU agenda. The labour market policy remains limited. On the taxation side, the tax-free amount and taxation thresholds have been frozen and the higher VAT levels have been maintained. However, the new tax deductions have been introduced for families with children. Importantly, the unions left the Tripartite Commission in the mid-2013, but also regional commissions for social dialogue and very little progress has been done also in 2014. The unionisation remains low, especially in the private sector. However, a slight growth in the membership has been noted. © Friedrich -Ebert-Stiftung The text is available online: Regional Project for Labour Relations and Social Dialogue in Central and Eastern Europe Maróthyho 6 SK-811 06 Bratislava www.fesmoe.eu The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Friedrich-Ebert­Stiftung or of the organization for which the author works. 1 Dr. Michał Polakowski(3 5) holds PhD in Public Policy and Policy Analysis from Maastricht University (Netherlands). He is a public policy analyst dealing with social policy, labour market and labour relations, affiliated to International Centre for Research and Analysis in Warsaw.