Commission Report (2002): Poland

Economic, social and cultural rights

A government Plenipotentiary for Equal Status of Women and Men was appointed in October 2001. The office has 11 staff and its main functions are: analysing and evaluating equal treatment; initiating and co-ordinating activities aimed at securing equal opportunities for men and women; issuing opinions, and co-operating with relevant state administration bodies, NGOs and educational institutions to promote equal opportunities in educational programmes. There is no indication as to whether the office will cover traditionally sensitive issues such as spousal violence, which have been raised in earlier Regular Reports.

2001 was the first year of operation of the Ombudsman for Children's Rights. During this period, the Office received 960 requests to intervene. During the first two months of 2002, a further 117 requests were received. The Ombudsman for Children's Rights co-operates closely with the general Ombudsman, which is particularly important as the Ombudsman for Children can only seek to persuade, while the general Ombudsman can initiate in his own right cases related to children's rights.

There have been no major changes with regard to the treatment of disabled persons over the reporting period.

The trade union movement has played a central role in Poland's recent history and continues to be an influential player politically and socially. Over the reporting period there have been no legislative changes with regard to trade unions and the right of association. However, at a practical level union membership is falling and there are increasing concerns that implementation is not duly enforced in all cases.

There have been no developments in the reporting period in relation to the European Social Charter, to which Poland is a party. Poland has not signed the revised European Social Charter.

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