Poland’s Family and Social Policy Minister Marlina Malak said on Saturday that Warsaw plans to raise the minimum wage twice in 2024 to help people cope with high inflation. It comes as the ruling Law and Justice party prepares for parliamentary elections later this year.

The cost of living has risen dramatically in recent months, with inflation hitting 14.7 percent in April at 18.4 percent year-on-year in February, the highest in more than a quarter of a century.

“Next year the minimum wage will be more than 4,200 zlotys” – about $1,015 -, the Polish press agency quoted Malak as saying, “As happened in 2023, the minimum wage will be raised twice next year, the first starting on the first of January, and the second starting on the first of July .

Malak revealed that three million people in Poland currently earn the minimum wage, explaining that the move is aimed at ensuring that Poles earning the minimum wage live in dignity.

The minimum wage saw its first increase to 3,490 zlotys — about $826 — from January 2023, and will see another increase to 3,600 zlotys — about $850 — starting in July.

A date for parliamentary elections has not yet been set, but they are expected to be held in October or November.

The government in Poland is legally obliged to raise the minimum wage twice in the same year if the inflation rate exceeded 5 percent in the previous year.

(Polish News Agency)