Polish workers get more seasonal jobs or move abroad: Unemployment set to rise in the autumn.

Polish unemployment fell slightly in May to 11.9 per cent from 12.3 per cent in April while retail sales for May were up compared to the year-ago month, the Central Statistical Office announced today that some 1.9 million Polish workers were registered unemployed at the end of May.

 

The fall in unemployment was due to Poles' taking on seasonal jobs, but it did not represent stable growth that can be expected to continue after the summer.

Unemployment will remain low until about September because of seasonal jobs, but unemployment could rise to 12.5-12.8 per cent at the end of this year unless more Polish workers seek work abroad and if the demand for their services exists.

 

Retail sales grew by 4.3 per cent compared to the same period last year. That figure showed recent flooding in southern Poland had little impact on sales or production, as it hit areas of little significance to production or sales.