On October 23rd, Minister Elżbieta Rafalska and Deputy Minister Stanisław Szwed participated  in the meeting of Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO Council) in Luxembourg.

Meeting with Polish families, debate with the members of Spanish government on the fight against poverty and family support as well as a lecture on family policy – there are some points of the visit of Minister Elżbieta Rafalska in Madrit.

By the end of July 2017, more than 3.99 million children under the age of 18 had received support from the government's "Family 500+" programme, and over 2.6 million families had been provided with benefits totalling over PLN 31.2 billion

By the end of July 2017, more than 3.99 million children under the age of 18 had received support from the government's "500+ Family" programme, and over 2.6 million families had been provided with benefits totalling over PLN 31.2 billion. 

The Council of Ministers adopted a draft Act amending the Act on the promotion of employment and labour market institutions and some other acts, submitted by the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy.

In 2018, the minimum wage for work will amount to PLN 2100. That is 5% and at the same time PLN 100 more than currently.

The challenges facing social policy, the role of local governments in its implementation, the situation on the labour market, social capital as a basis for development or senior policy – these are just some of the issues discussed during the 27th Economic Forum.

In August this year, the unemployment rate was 7,1%, as indicated by the estimates of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy. Compared to the same period last year, its level is 1.3 points lower (it was 8.4%, then).

Submitting applications for 500+ support electronically is even easier. 

An unprecedented decline in unemployment, rising employment rates, growth in working population and an increase in wages are the phenomena that have marked the labour market over the past year