Threats for companies in Poland. Bochniarz: we have to solve this matter

It is coming to an end in Sopot 13th edition of the European Forum for New Ideas (EFNI). During the congress, economists, experts, as well as representatives of science, culture and politics discussed global trends, new ideas, as well as economic challenges in Poland and around the world.

Henryka Bochniarz, chairwoman of the Main Council of the Lewiatan Confederation, asked by TVN24 BiS about the greatest threats to the development of companies discussed during EFNI, explained that “there were two strongest topics there.”

– It was one growth spurt minimum wage. And here, for many companies, this is a really significant threat, because they already have very low margins, so passing on these increases to consumers will be rather impossible. We are afraid that this is simply an expansion of the gray zone, she said.

– But the second thing is these energy prices. And here at EFNI we talked a lot about it. The Prime Minister also talked about this (Donald) Tusk in his speech. Because we are aware that simply Without the energy transformation, our companies have no chance of being competitive. Therefore, we must try to solve this matter as quickly as possible, she explained.

As she noted, for example, on Thursday, due to favorable weather, energy supplies from Renewable energy they more than covered the country's current energy demand. – So it's clear which direction we have to go – she added.

Bochniarz. asked about factors hindering the energy transformation. such as influential trade unions in Silesia, she explained that it would be crucial to “not hide the truth” and listen to the other side.

– It seems that the conclusions of this panel were clear that we simply have about 70,000 people there at the moment (in the mining sector – ed.). We need to treat them seriously and responsibly, not hide the truth and not deceive them with the fact that coal was with us here and will be forever, she said.

– People are certainly rational and if they know that the declarations made by the government will be kept, they will definitely agree to it, because no one wants to operate in a bankrupt field of the economy – she concluded.

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During the conversation, Henryka Bochniarz also touched on the topic migration crisisadmitting that “this is a problem not only for Poland, but for the European Union.” – Maybe it's good that the Prime Minister has detonated this topic and now some compromise will be sought – she said.

– I wouldn't panic immediately, but rather look at whether we can find solutions that, on the one hand, will give us a chance to solve this problem in a humane way, and on the other hand (those that) will not caused a sense of security threat, she said.

She added that the issue of safety was raised many times during the forum and “this topic cannot be ignored.”