Unemployment in Poland dropped to a low of 5.3 percent in June, from 5.4 percent in May, the country’s labour ministry said this week. The figure marked the lowest jobless rate in Poland in 28 years. The national Central Statistical Office reported last month that Poland’s unemployment rate dropped to 5.4 percent in May, from 5.6 percent in April.
Poland’s unemployment rate is expected to fall even further to 5.1 percent at the end of 2020 under a set of budgetary targets recently adopted by the government. The Polish unemployment rate has been steadily decreasing over the years from highs of 20 percent in the early 2000’s.
European decision makers discuss Western Balkans in Poland
Senior government ministers from a host of European countries held a series of meetings to discuss the challenges and prospects of the Western Balkans region at a the 6th Western Balkans summit held in Poznań this week. During the summit experts also discussed issues including the European aspirations of Western Balkan nations. On Thursday, government ministers from various European countries, notably those in charge of foreign, economic and internal affairs, were expected to meet for plenary sessions.
A Civil Society Forum intended for NGOs was also held and a Business Forum to enable entrepreneurs to network and establish contacts. Attendees of the summit were included Poland’s Foreign Minister and Enterprise and Technology Minister as well as the Secretary-General of the OECD and the EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy as well as other heads of government of more than a dozen European nations. The summit is being held as part of the Berlin Process, an initiative launched by Germany and aiming to promote regional cooperation among Western Balkan countries aspiring to join the European Union. Poland this year holds the rotating presidency of the Berlin Process.
Britain’s new BREXIT passports to be made in Poland
Britain’s new blue passports will be made in Poland after production was contracted out to French-Dutch company Gemalto. Gemalto won the Home Office’s tender to print the new documents. The company has premises in several locations, including Poland where it employs over 1,300 people in Warsaw, Gdynia, Poznań, Tczew and Kraków.
The factory in Tczew is responsible for the electronic components that go into modern documents, including Polish e-passports. Gemalto boasts the blue British passport will be one of the most advanced biometric documents in the world, including the use of polycarbonate rather than paper for the passport data page that contains the holder’s biographic details. The company will produce different parts of the document in various locations, with the personal data being handled exclusively in the UK.
The Baltic Sea Festival 2019 Being Celebrated in Gdansk this weekend
This weekend sees the Baltic Sea Festival 2019 being celebrated in Gdansk with Over 20 sailing ships taking part and hundreds of other attractions taking place. The annual event aims to bring together the sailing community not only from Gdańsk, but from the entire Baltic Sea and attracts people from the whole region. Highlights include the Dutch tall ship, “The Minerva”, the restored Polish ketch “General Zaruski”, the Finnish schooner “Joanna Saturna “with its over hundred-year-long history and the 48 metre Dutch yacht Loth Loriën. In addition, 3 different sea battles will also be re-enacted over the weekend at the Wisłoujście Fortress, with accompanying pyrotechnics and effects. The „Szanty pod Żurawiem” (Shanty under the crane) Festival is also an integral part of the program where old sea songs will be performed amid food stands and gift stores right on the riverside in Gdansk. Entrance is free.
Redakcja English Service
