Disabled families suspend protest

Demonstrators in Poland's lower house of parliament on Tuesday. Photo: PAP/Tomasz Gzell

“We are not ending the protest, and in May we are going to return with double the strength – we won't be alone,” Maja Szulc told national broadcaster TVP.

“We already have a plan and it will be a surprise - something really powerful,” Szulc said.

“It will be much more powerful than the demonstration in parliament.”

However, protesters refused to reveal whether they would vacate Poland's lower house of parliament today or on Friday, when MPs vote on whether to gradually raise benefits.

13 families started the sit-in protest on 19 March, demanding an immediate rise in benefits for parent carers from the current 820 zloty per month (195.7 euro) to today's minimum wage, which is a net sum of 1237 zloty (297 euro).

On Saturday 22 March, Prime Minister Tusk outlined a plan by which the benefits would be increased gradually, reaching 1300 zloty in 2016.

Several families suspended the protest at this point, but others remained, insisting that the minimum wage level be implemented at once.

During a press conference held on Tuesday, demonstrators said that regardless of whether they leave parliament today or following Friday's vote, they will continue to demand an immediate increase in benefits to the level of the minimum wage.

Meanwhile, a parallel demonstration was launched on 27 March by carers for disabled adults, with protesters camping outside parliament.

Carers for disabled adults want parity with parents of disabled children, and the latter protest continues.

“We won't give up until we've reached out goal,” one protester told RMF FM on Monday. (nh)