Pawlak ceases to head Trilateral Commission

Deputy Prime Minister, Economy Minister Waldemar Pawlak ceased to be the head of the Trilateral Commission. On Wednesday, Pawlak thanked social partners for their cooperation, the Economy Ministry wrote in a press release. "Thank you for the last 4 years of cooperation. I am glad that during this period we were able to work together for the reconstruction of social dialogue in Poland," Pawlak said during a meeting with representatives of employers and trade unions. Pawlak stressed that thanks to the commitment of the Commission, Poland is one of the few countries which managed to smoothly go through the world crisis. "The Commission managed to work out solutions that helped maintain (Poland's) economic growth and employment" he stressed. The Commission's term ended together with the term of the passed parliament. The PM has yet not appointed a new head of the Commission from among his ministers. PM Donald Tusk told reporters on Wednesday that he has suggested to Pawlak and social partners that he would take part in the Commission's meetings devoted the most important reforms proposed by the government. Tusk asked who will chair the Commission's work replied that considered are Minister Pawlak, Minister of Labour Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, Finance Minister Jacek Rostowski and possibly the PM himself. Last December, Minister Pawlak announced that he no longer wants to head the Tripartite Commission. He suggested that the best person for the post would be the Finance Minister. The Trilateral Commission, founded in 1994, is composed of representatives of the government, private employers and trade unions. It is an institution of social dialogue. The commission prepares employers' and unions' opinions on government's budget assumptions and the bill itself. The commission has the right to present its proposals concerning wage growth, minimum wage, pensions and other social security benefits. The commission may present its opinions on economic and social issues.