Precarious Conditions
The Polarisation of Poland’s Labour Market
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
Since joining the European Union, Poland's economy has grown considerably. The population’s standard of living has improved, unemployment has fallen. This was achieved by also making the labour market more flexible. But that has come at a price: more and more people are working in conditions of temporary employment under “junk contracts”. Often, these fail to meet minimal standards of labour and social law. Frustration with the situation has driven many young voters into the arms of the extreme right. Anybody seeking to counteract this will have to overcome the fragmentation of the labour market and prevent the emergence of a precariat.
(Osteuropa 6-7/2016, pp. 83–94)