The Council of Ministers today adopted a bill prepared by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy on the conditions for allowing foreigners to work in Poland. In recent years, we have seen an increase in the presence of foreign workers on the Polish labour market. Our ministry's project introduces comprehensive regulations in this area so that the labour market in Poland is a fair and safe place for all. The Act also fulfils one of the milestones enshrined in the National Reconstruction Plan.

Additional leave for parents of premature babies and babies born on time but hospitalised after birth is now certain. This is a great success for the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, headed by Minister Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, and the social party, who have jointly prepared draft solutions to give families back their time in hospital.

No longer PLN 500, but a maximum of PLN 1,000 from the alimony fund. This means more support for those people who do not receive alimony from their parents. The law, a draft of which originated in the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, has now been signed by the President.

Simplifying the definition of bullying and recognising that its basic feature is to be the persistent harassment of an employee - this is the most important premise of the draft law created at the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy. The proposed definition of the phenomenon assumes making the determination of the existence of bullying independent of the intentionality of the perpetrator's action or the occurrence of a specific effect, and excludes incidental and one-off behaviour. The draft is now waiting to be included in the government's legislative work list.

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.