Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki attended the 30th National Congress of Delegates of NSZZ Solidarność
26.05.2022
NSZZ “Solidarność” (Independent and Self-Governing Trade Union Solidarność) was founded in 1980 to protect workers’ rights. It has its roots in numerous strike committees. During the anniversary congress, the head of the Polish government emphasized the role of the union and its members: ‘On behalf of the government of the Republic of Poland and the whole nation, I would like to thank you for the great work. For everything that “Solidarność” has done for Poland, for Europe and for the world.’
To explain the role of “Solidarność” in Polish history, the Prime Minister referred to the butterfly effect. A butterfly flapping its wings in one part of the world can cause a sandstorm in another. The head of the Polish government compared the dismissal of Anna Walentynowicz at the beginning of August 1980 and the subsequent demand for her reinstatement to a butterfly flapping its wings. This incident caused a sequence of events that led to the fall of the Moscow empire.
Subjectivity of the worker and the citizen
The fight for workers' rights soon became something more. The subjectivity of the worker turned into the subjectivity of the citizen, of man and of Poland.
‘It was thanks to “Solidarność” that we managed to discover the strength of the Polish soul, of the Polish nation, so quickly. Together, we became confident that we could regain our independence through “Solidarność”,’ emphasized the Prime Minister.
The state also for the weak
After 1989, the ideals of “Solidarność” were put aside. This changed with Prawo i Sprawiedliwość taking over the government.
‘We know that for true freedom, real freedom, to offer prospects for development, the state must, in accordance with the ideals of “Solidarność”, protect the weak. The state must be a state for the weak, for the forgotten, for the excluded, and must be understanding towards them but - at the same time - strong for the strong,’ said the head of the Polish government.
The ideals of “Solidarność” were achieved, among other things, through the implementation of the reform of public finances, which enabled the introduction of hourly rates and an increase in the minimum wage.
In solidarity with Ukraine
The Prime Minister pointed out the similarity between the current congress and the first one: both were held in the shadow of Russia. Now the Russian army is destroying freedom and life in Ukraine. However, the idea of "Solidarność" is also reflected in the actions that are now being taken to support our neighbour. The head of the Polish government thanked the union for its support for Ukraine.
‘I believe that today’s congress, the 30th anniversary congress of Solidarność, will also have such an impact on keeping Ukraine free, on achieving victory over the vile, barbaric Russian regime,’ concluded the Prime Minister.
