On January 15th Minister Elżbieta Rafalska took part in the New Year’s meeting in Gorzów Wielkopolski hosted by the Lubuskie Province Governor with representatives of local authorities, heads of combined administration units and other circles.

Since 2018, the Large Family Card has been more attractive. It has been adapted to the latest digital technology solutions, that is the introduction of the Large Family Card in the form of an application on mobile devices. The plastic carrier will remain in circulation as well. It will be possible to use both forms of the Card alternatively.

Poland is in the top 7 countries with the lowest unemployment. In November 2017, the unemployment rate in EU-28 was 7,3% , down from 7.4% in October 2017 and from 8.3% in November 2016. This is the lowest rate recorded in the EU28 since October 2008.

Three times higher budget expenses for supporting the development of day nurseries, easier setting up of these establishments, greater safety of children and possibility of exemption from charges and property tax – these are only a few changes in the care system for children under 3, which entered into force at the beginning of the new year.

Women in Poland have appropriate qualifications and motivations to occupy key managerial positions. The Eurostat data shows that more than 76.8% of working women

Statistically, a woman performing the same or comparable work as a man, earns less. This problem, known as the „gender pay gap” has been analysed in many studies and occurs all over the world.

What changes await us in 2018? They includes development of places of care for the youngest, investment in activity and support for seniors, and further steps of the “For Life” programme.

In March 2015, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights published the results of the largest global survey on violence against women[1]. It shows the commonness of the phenomenon of violence, taking into account both the adult life experiences as well as the cases of physical and sexual violence, faced by the respondents in their childhood.

Elżbieta Rafalska,  Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy received the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary  on December 4rd. The award was conferred by Janos Ader, President of Hungary.