It is the final stage - the Parliament has finished its work concerning the Act introducing additional leave of up to 15 weeks for parents of premature babies and babies born on time but hospitalised after birth. The next step will be the President's signature.

Supporting the professional activity of persons with disabilities is not only the responsibility of the state, but also a benefit for everyone - both the employees themselves and the employers. The Sejm adopted the Act increasing wage subsidies for employees with disabilities.

Christmas Eve will be a public holiday starting from next year - the relevant Act has be passed by the Parliament and will now be sent to the President for his signature. This solution is supported by the vast majority of Poles.

For the first time since its introduction in 2008, the alimony fund benefits will increase - from PLN 500 to a maximum of PLN 1,000 per month. This is an important change for people who do not receive alimony from their parents. The Senate adopted the Act which now awaits the President's signature.

According to Eurostat data, the labour market situation in Poland remains significantly better than the EU average. Interestingly, the youth unemployment rate in Poland in October this year was lower than a year ago and lower than in the previous month as well as lower than in EU countries.

A draft Act on Personal Assistance developed on the initiative of the Government Plenipotentiary for Disabled People, Łukasz Krasoń, has been added to the legislative work schedule of the Council of Ministers. In particular, it assumes a higher number of assisted hours than guaranteed under the current legislative arrangements, as well as a possibility of determining the right to support for several years rather than just one year. This is an important step towards ensuring greater independence for persons with disabilities.

Good news for parents of babies born prematurely! The Sejm has passed a law introducing additional maternity leave for parents of babies born prematurely and those who had to be hospitalised over a longer period after birth due to their health condition. This is up to 15 weeks of additional leave.

Data from the Statistics Poland shows that the unemployment rate in October this year stood at 4.9%, a number even lower than the estimates of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy.

PLN 300 for a school starter pack for every student – that's the Good Start programme. Those who have not yet applied for the benefit this year should hurry – you can only apply until the end of November.

The development of digital technologies brings with it enormous changes, which are just now gaining extraordinary momentum. We should not be afraid of them, but we must be prepared for them,’ stressed the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy, Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, opening the conference 'Social and economic consequences of the digital transformation'.