On the occasion of the upcoming Christmas, I would like to wish you all health, cheerfulness and strength every day. Family gives us support, safety and joy. May this Christmas time be filled with warmth and peace. Let's be together, talk, be moved and rejoice. Let's show our loved ones how important they are in our lives.

A draft act introducing the benefit of PLN 500 for families has been submitted to public consultation. Prime Minister Beata Szydło informed about this at the Christmas meeting with large families at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister.

The first meeting of the Social Dialogue Council was held on 14 December in the office of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy. It was attended by Prime Minister Beata Szydło and Marshals of the Sejm and Senate.

Today, President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, appointed Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy, Elżbieta Rafalska, and Deputy Minister Stanisław Szwed, who is in charge of social dialogue at the Ministry, to the Social Dialogue Council.

In November this year, the unemployment rate was 9.7%, as indicated by the estimates of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy. This is another month in which unemployment remains at a single-digit level.

Today, family celebration of Saint Nicholas' Day was hosted in the office of the Ministry. Elżbieta Rafalska, Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy, met with foster families and families with many children.

“The child benefit of PLN 500 will be paid from the second quarter next year. Public consultation on the project will be held at the end of December this year,” Prime Minister Beata Szydło announced after the government meeting.

On 23 November, Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy, Elżbieta Rafalska, presented awards and distinctions for outstanding, innovative solutions in social assistance. Awards are presented each year in connection with the Social Worker Day celebrated on 21 November. 

Stanisław Szwed, Krzysztof Michałkiewicz and Marcin Zieleniecki were appointed Deputy Ministers of Family, Labour and Social Policy. Krzysztof Michałkiewicz assumed the position of the Government Plenipotentiary for Disabled People. The nominations were presented by Elżbieta Rafalska, Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy.

Larger family support, PLN 500 for second and subsequent child, and in the case of the poorest ones – also for the first child, lowering the retirement age – these are the main themes of exposé made by Polish Prime Minister, Beata Szydło, in the Sejm.