Salary cuts for the sake of saving jobs and to euro, or not to euro…?
Presented by Slawek Szefs
Economic and finance related topics continue to dominate front pages of major newspapers. GAZETA WYBORCZA reports on the Monday agreement of the Polish, Czech and Hungarian Central Banks concerning commitment to join efforts in defense of their respective currencies. The zloty, crown and forint, respectively, grew stronger almost minutes following a communiqué released early afternoon. DZIENNIK draws attention to the fact that additionally the President of the National Bank of Poland issued a statement on reasons, or rather their considerable lack, for the latest rapid decline in Polish currency standings. The pendulum effect is still visible, but the zloty is slowly regaining in value to the euro and Swiss frank, heralds the daily.
Looking at crisis developments from the perspective of the average bread earner, RZECZPOSPOLITA writes about growing solidarity among employees, most of whom agree to salary cuts in order to avoid reductions and retain jobs for themselves and co-workers. A survey commissioned by the paper shows that 9 percent of respondents would surely consent to pay cuts for the sake of keeping workplaces in their company, while 44 percent would be inclined to make that sacrifice. Opposed to this way of thinking are only 21 percent, who would rather not forfeit part of their salary to prevent redundancies and 14 percent who say: no way, we want all our well deserved money!
Looming economic and financial problems seem to enforce a more serious aura in usually gossiping SUPER EXPRESS. It devotes two pages to an uncompromising exchange of views by two well known politicians and economic experts. One is a presidential advisor and former parliamentarian, while the other is a former deputy finance minister and currently represents one of the major Polish banks. The topic under discussion – is Poland adequately prepared to enter the euro zone and when can this be achieved the earliest? Deepening recession may postpone plans of quick accession, opines the former and warns that hardest hit by the introduction of the euro shall be pensioners. But the new currency will not be adopted overnight so we must continue with preparations, argues the latter. A true reflection of the wide and often heated debate on the subject in Poland nowadays.
The tabloid FAKT focuses in its sports columns on Justyna Kowalczyk, the newest world champion in women’s ski running from Poland. Returning to the 26-year-old’s feat in the Liberec hosted event, Fakt notes the rise in marketing value of Kowalczyk evidenced by the rapid lack of advertising space on her sports outfit. This precious space is measured in square centimeters. Experts registered there are only 50 still left on the ski champ’s blouse, while her jacket can accommodate barely a hundred square centimeters of logos by potential sponsors. Luckily Justyna Kowalczyk, herself, shares a different hierarchy of values. Those who know me well are aware money is the least important thing in my life, she told reporters.