According to the Eurostat data, children are the group most endangered by poverty and social exclusion in the European Union. Poland ranked sixth among countries with the lowest poverty risk index among children, with a score of 17.2%. The EU average is 23.4%. In this ranking, Slovenia ranked best and Romania ranked worst.

Anna Schmidt-Rodziewicz, formerly the plenipotentiary of the Prime Minister for international dialogue, became a new deputy minister of family, labour and social policy and government plenipotentiary for equal treatment.

Exactly one year has passed since the inauguration of the government’s Mother 4+ programme, under which a supplementary family benefit is granted to persons bringing up four or more children who have resigned from professional work or have worked too short to be entitled even to minimum pension. Until now, the number of beneficiaries has reached almost 55,000. ‘This is a sort of gratitude to them for their arduous task of bringing up a group of children,’ says the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy Marlena Maląg.

This month started exceptionally well for many persons. Since 1st March, pensions and disability benefits have increased by the statutory adjustment index, but by no more than PLN 70. ‘The lowest benefits have risen by as much as PLN 100 to PLN 1,200. In this way, we wanted to improve the situation of those who are in the most difficult situation,’ says the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy Marlena Maląg.

The Prime Minister of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki and his ministers summed up 100 days of the government, including Pension Plus, Small ZUS Plus, Prevention Plus, subsidies for farmers and the construction of 100 ring roads. The event took part in the presence of the Minister of Family Marlena Maląg.

25th February 2020 is a very important day for all retired persons and disability pensioners. President Andrzej Duda signed the Thirteenth Pension Act. This means that an additional benefit in the amount of the lowest retirement pension will be guaranteed and paid every year.

A show of talents, the presentation of handicraft, meetings, conversations, an exchange of experiences and, most of all, great fun – such was Intergenerational Activity Day in Żyrardów with the participations of seniors from all parts of Poland. The culmination point of the programme was the signature of the Thirteenth Pension Act by President Andrzej Duda.

What does social and solidary economy mean? It is an economy where commercial activity serves society, e.g., through the employment and integration of persons who are in a difficult situation, disabled or endangered by social exclusion. Today, around 94,000 social economy entities operate in Poland.

The year 2020, which has largely ended in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, has been a time of great challenges. Despite many difficulties and significant outlays, for instance, in support of entrepreneurs and job protection, all existing social programmes have been implemented without any disruptions. – Today, these programmes have become particularly important and have become a guarantee of safety for numerous families. No one has been taken away, emphasized Marlena Maląg, Minister of Family and Social Policy.

An expert team in the field of new technologies and privacy established by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Affairs has just started working. ‘Our goal is to work out the best possible solutions for the protection of children on the Internet while respecting rights and freedoms of adults,’ explains Deputy Minister Barbara Socha, Government Plenipotentiary for Demographic Policy.