Travel / Białowieża National Park in Poland [461]


Not sure who that 'someone' is.....one person or many? You seem to believe that the illegal logging of B. Forest isn't a priority, as the issue is only occasionally raised and that it has been 'quite a while since they threatened any fines'.....I think you will find that there are people out there who do care about their environment and perhaps those in power are making use of the inability of the public to effectively complain about the illegal logging in the B. Forest.....don't worry too much but I think that the generosity of the EU will soon run out and Poland will be punished....in any event Poland is losing credibility as a country who were progressing well to one which is sinking in its own prima donna attitude....sad but that's the way it is....I just hope people will realise the damage which is being caused and try to change things for the better....

News / Israel opposing potential new Polish law to criminalise term 'Polish death camps' [1538]


I am completely unaware of the background to this proposal to change the law as already discussed in the media, but is there a reason why after a period of 60 years Poland wants to make new laws relating to this terrible event in history. We all know about the atrocities carried out and that yes people did collaborate with the Germans during the war, which includes countries such as France and no doubt other countries..... but why introduce a new law when really the government would gain more credibility and would I am sure, be widely applauded if they introduced new laws on pollution...job creation...employment law...the health service...issues which matter to the Polish people.....

News / Israel opposing potential new Polish law to criminalise term 'Polish death camps' [1538]

Yes I agree about who would pay but this is what happens in most other democratic countries....there needs to be a starting point at which it becomes necessary for the public or government to pay a little more to introduce a new law which will benefit the majority otherwise the Polish economy will just not progress...yes there is a cost and I am sure that if the government really wants to make a difference to the lives of Polish people then they will find the money.....but at the moment it all seems like papering over the cracks and they are not really concerned with the lives of people but more with projecting some sort of image designed to tell the world how great Poland is.....sorry but the government need to get real and focus on domestic issues rather than international ones....they are not ready yet to enter the international arena and confront other nations with their ideas....credibility is a real issue.

News / Israel opposing potential new Polish law to criminalise term 'Polish death camps' [1538]

WieliPolak.....

What you say is a fair point and I accept what you say....I just wish that the government will soon focus more on the needs of the voters rather than on issues which will not help the economy..

News / Israel opposing potential new Polish law to criminalise term 'Polish death camps' [1538]


Yes I would think it would be a widely accepted programme by many families but I read a moment ago from someone else on this page....(cannot find the post now and seems to have disappeared from this site) and agree that this programme is unsustainable and unlikely to fully reduce child poverty in the long run....and how are the PIS to continue with this level of payments which will probably be scrapped if and when they are re-elected at the next general election.

News / Road deaths increase in Poland [43]

As a car driver myself I have seen all sorts of stupid and reckless driving....such as:
- driving fast at dangerous speeds, just a metre or two behind another car on the dual carriageway.
- undertaking on dual carriageways because presumably the idiot driver cannot wait a few moments for traffic to clear in the fast lane.
- drivers just lurching out from a side road without checking for oncoming traffic
- drivers overtaking not just one car but two or three or more....they don't wait for the car in front to overtake (the lorry or whatever) but instead just go for it....

Next there are the pedestrians:
- suddenly turning onto a zebra crossing and expecting a driver to stop for them.
- walking across a zebra crossing whilst having a in depth conversation on their mobile phones
- walking across a zebra crossing without checking (not even a glimpse or a glance at the road) that just maybe there could be a car/lorry coming whose driver may not be super observant etc with the result that the said pedestrian could be run over....and why should a driver be expected to constantly check for idiot pedestrians who think that as have the legal right of way they can do what they like at zebra crossings in the belief that are immune to any repercussions.....probably yes but hopefully if the police have their sensible hats on they will take a balanced view....and not take the side of the pedestrian just because of their interpretation of the law.....let the criminal lawyers decide on whether there is a case or not...not others who believe they know the law..

Yes there is a duty of care by drivers but this also applies to pedestrians who should act responsibly.....sadly many don't (pedestrians can be just as dangerous as drivers).....so if the law favours the pedestrian then it is time to add an 'article' or two to traffic law in order to address the balance between dangerous driving and dangerous walking.....

I think that there needs to be a review of traffic law to look at the following:
- location of zebra crossings (absolutely useless if located at busy junctions...and there are often too many just a few metres from each other..why?.....far better to relocate them away from junctions with less chance of accidents

- change the law to address the imbalance between drivers and pedestrians rights.
- to impose a greater level of responsibility on pedestrians when crossing the road

I think that at the end of the day the high level of deaths on the roads is due to how the law was sold to the public.....someone somewhere has given out the wrong message and people have translated the law literally, without any measure of responsibility or common sense.... I suspect that it is a case of badly drafted traffic law which has led to people interpreting it themselves...completely unacceptable...but then there are more important things for the government like illegal logging in the B.Forest...

Law / Polish certificate exam level B1 and institution / few questions about the Polish language [39]


As some private language school are accredited to offer courses and certificates for students to take the Cambridge Certificate Exam, FCE etc...then perhaps its possible to find a school who is accredited to run the 'state exam' to cut down on waiting time and to offer more places....

News / Israel opposing potential new Polish law to criminalise term 'Polish death camps' [1538]

I must be missing a point but is the description 'Polish death camps' such a widespread problem that it is necessary to introduce a new law...I have never used the term 'Polish death camps' and have only used the terms 'concentration camps....Auschwitz'.....etc I have never heard other people use this term....but maybe the figures are much higher than we all think.

Are there that many people using the term 'Polish death camps' to make it necessary to introduce a new law, making this reference illegal...?

Law / Polish certificate exam level B1 and institution / few questions about the Polish language [39]

I think it depends on the reputation of the individual language school. The potential for fraud is equally valid elsewhere, wherever you take it....it all depends on the people overseeing the exam. If accredited language schools are properly run (as no doubt state exam centres are) then the potential for fraud is reduced.

Law / Polish certificate exam level B1 and institution / few questions about the Polish language [39]

Well yes, so you agree that it could be possible for accredited private language schools to act as exam centres.....it may well be that the actual certificate is issued by the government department responsible for producing them....but it could be possible for this exam to be taken at a language school....

Law / Polish certificate exam level B1 and institution / few questions about the Polish language [39]


I agree, the certificate would probably have to be issued by some government department, and yes private language schools do provide the space and resources to deliver lessons leading up to students taking the FCE Exam etc....I am perfectly aware that come the day of exam there are likely to be certified examiners overseeing things, but accredited private schools could possibly provide lessons to prepare the student to take the state exam given that something similar to accreditation for FCE level training/lessons, could be agreed. Just a thought.


Actually my suggestion was really for private language schools to provide the lessons to enable the student to take the state exam....that's all.

News / Israel opposing potential new Polish law to criminalise term 'Polish death camps' [1538]

I am still unsure why after 60 years did the government feel it necessary to pass this new law.....has something really happened to make this all necessary and do the majority of people in Poland want this. There doesn't appear to have been much widespread discussion on this topic prior to the new law, so why was it necessary to introduce it?

It does seem to have stirred up a hornet's nest of discussion, accusations and shouting backwards and forwards.......I am not sure if the PIS really envisaged this backlash and probably regret their actions now. I think there are probably many other laws the PIS could introduce to address the needs of the Polish people but haven't yet. Unfortunately this will dominate politics for some time I am sure, which will of course push other important issues into the side lines.

News / Israel opposing potential new Polish law to criminalise term 'Polish death camps' [1538]


Ok thanks for the history behind this new law it is helpful.....so maybe it is predominately about compensation and how the new law could on one hand address the Polish concerns and in doing so cause difficulties and future changes to the payment of compensation....

News / Coal-Powered Poland Refuses to "Go Green". EU Ain't Happy. [304]

Merged:

When will coal become a thing of the past......

This has probably been the biggest cover up ever, and to think that some people actually believe that burning coal is ok for the environment and people.....how wrong they are....do they not know that burning coal is incredibly bad for the environment, it is cancerous, causes all sorts of long term breathing problems, is terrible for people with breathing problems and generally really bad....time to end it I think....or is there someone who will try to convince us all that coal is good for everyone including the environment...just look at the smog and what its doing...it is so dangerous...and is a disgrace.....the government should be ashamed that it just hasn't bothered to do anything about it and really don't want to be seen to be doing anything for the people. Sad really as I thought the PIS were for the people..

News / Coal-Powered Poland Refuses to "Go Green". EU Ain't Happy. [304]

Smog kills tens of thousands of Poles each year, yet environmental activists say the right-wing government of the coal-loving nation has been dragging its feet on combating air pollution. Millions of Poles heat their homes with often low-quality coal, which is the main source of air pollution ahead of cars and industry. The European Environmental Agency meanwhile blames air pollution for an estimated 50,000 premature deaths per year in the country of 38 million. While PM10 particle pollution is considered dangerous in Poland from 300 micrograms per cubic metre, the threshold is 80 micrograms in France.

I think that there are some valid points made from the above extract and yes 'the investment is worth it now'.... The extract really sums up the key issues which I feel are the ones the responsible government minister needs to address....whether he/she will is just a matter of time...in the meantime the people continue to live and breathe coal dust with the obvious consequences.....I cannot imagine how much it is costing Poland in healthcare relating to breathing conditions, cancer, etc

Of course people will say it will take time for change to take place but then again if the government really wanted to do something positive and long lasting they could.......no good talking about budgets etc, they could find the money to make changes as they have done from other initiatives such as the weekly 500 zl programme for family planning. At the end of the day the government will be judged on their performance....whether it is their strength or feebleness in doing something constructive for the Polish people.....

Work / Proofreading - What is the going rate in Warsaw? [40]

Merged:

Proofreading rates?

Would anyone know what the rate could be for proofreading documents. I have been asked for a quote per 1800 characters with spaces. In time my proofreading job took me about 90 minutes for a page and a half. I have read historical postings on proofreading but just wanted to know what the most up to date rate could be and what is reasonable.

Work / Proofreading - What is the going rate in Warsaw? [40]

O WELL
Thank you for your posting, it is much appreciated.

Law / Poland's ZUS/NFZ payments for businesses [27]

My thought was to look at ways to encourage entrepreneurs/small businesses to set up a business be it small or large. In having a system of ZUS/NFZ business payments which is fair and based on earnings rather than just a set fee, would in my view help the Polish economy and so on. At present there is very little incentive for people to set up a business with such high ZUS/NFZ costs....I believe that small businesses are essential to improving the economy....the alternative is to sell goods at the market, which for some people is not something they wish to do and with limited returns and travel costs etc. I don't believe that big businesses are the only way forward.

Law / Poland's ZUS/NFZ payments for businesses [27]

Yes it is a question of how you replace lost revenue to ZUS but to be honest I would leave that to the politicians to work out. At the end of the day I am sure there are other ways to collect the lost revenue, and with small/large businesses no longer penalised with high ZUS/NFZ costs it would encourage entrepreneurs to set up businesses. As a result businesses would have better conditions in which to work in and would continue providing more choice to the consumer and go a long way to improving the economy.

It just needs the will of government to introduce a fairer system and realise the benefits of increasing the number of businesses. Successful small businesses grow into large businesses and continue to create jobs, revenue etc....but they need the right conditions.

Real Estate / Planning permission - buying a house in Poland [7]

Thank you Atch for your helpful knowledge on this issue.....I agree that it is up to the seller to apply for the correct paperwork.....and yes I think using a solicitor is a sensible course of action or indeed an escrow account.....I thought about placing a fee with the estate agent to reserve the property, in an amount of 2000zl....I think that either the owner wants to know about my commitment to the sale or that the estate agent wants to secure a sale by pushing through signing of a first contract (there are two agencies selling the property so I guess that our agent wants to secure a sale before the other agency receives an offer from someone who is not worried about the paperwork....

Real Estate / Planning permission - buying a house in Poland [7]

Delphiandomine........Thank you for your advice on this matter...I tend to agree with your response and tempting as it is, in the future it may come back to bite me if the paperwork is not legalised and be expensive to put right if that is possible. Thanks again.

News / How will BREXIT affect the immigrants in UK and Poland. [1114]

johnny reb....


I actually thought the forum was for people living in Poland but if people can access it from different countries then that is fine...Is there a forum for people living in Poland....I am thinking of the AngloInfo business which provides information such as business set ups, selling/ buying property or personal items, advertising local events, forum for sharing ideas/information on living in a particular country, general information for anyone living or arriving in a particular country which helps them to settle in etc...

Thanks.....

Life / Settle in Poland, which city is best? [30]

If your pension is a civil service pension then you will have it taxed in the UK....as others have said if you have a state pension from the UK it would be taxed in Poland.

UK, Ireland / Mixed feelings after moving from Poland to England [36]

Just to put the record straight, certain squads in the British police force are armed and operate in various situations. I think you will find that a high percentage of the public in the UK are reassured by the fact that not all police officers are armed and that they can rely on special units with armed officers to deal with particular situations. I think the UK public do not want to encourage a rise in gun crime by arming all police officers but having certain armed police units is really seen as sufficient support. At the end of the day the UK do not really want to see a situation arise such as in the USA where gun control seems to be out of control and where the gun lobby is an all powerful body preventing any attempt to reduce the sale of arms or make meaningful changes to gun law. In short most people in the UK do not want to see a situation arise where the general approach is 'my gun is bigger than yours'....its just asking for trouble. London is experiencing a rise in knife crime and some other areas and I can see that something needs to be done about it.....giving police officers guns is not really in my view the most effective way to supress crime, but would only serve to inflame it. As for British police 'finally growing a pair' I think you will find that they are respected worldwide for their professionalism and work under difficult circumstances.....these are brave and respected police officers who 'grew their pair' a long, long time ago.

News / Poland blocks any action on climate change [569]

I think that there is really big point missed with all the discussions about coal reserves lasting 200 odd years, etc etc....and this is the effect that coal burning (and plastic rubbish) has on the population. I would like to see statistics on what percentage of the population suffers from breathing related conditions, asthma, cancer etc as a result of the toxic fumes and smoke produced by burning coal. This to me is the hidden scandal behind the use of coal and it doesn't matter how much the government support the burning of coal or renaming it as eco groszek, there is a real health hazard which I suspect is costing millions in medical treatment and reduced life expectancy.

The dangerous pollution levels created by burning coal are invisible and I think that if you could actually see it people would put more pressure on government to change things. Yes it is a cheap option for heating but sadly Poland needs to catch up with other countries who could see the health hazards associated with burning coal many years ago. I suspect that the real reason is that the government are protecting the coal industry to save jobs, keep their votes etc. They need to have the courage to change things. Think of the money that could be saved on medical bills.

News / Man Charged in Escape Room Deaths in Warsaw, Poland [8]

This is of course a complete tragedy for the families involved.....and must be terrible for them to comprehend the events....

It does seem to be a situation as other posts have mentioned that there were little or no regulation checks made.....so first of all there should always be health and safety inspections made for this type of business or for example food outlets. If checks were made then clearly the person/team responsible haven't been thorough enough. Consistent regulation is really the key here and whoever is responsible for public safety should really step up their game and as a priority ensure that businesses like this are consistently regulatedto prevent this tragedy from happening again. (I suspect that it will happen again, maybe not with an 'escape room' but probably with a club, disco, etc)

Like the terrible standard of driving on the roads or people burning plastic there appears to be little or no regulation and there is no excuse for non regulation. (I've never seen police target and stop a driver for driving dangerously close to the back of another car/lorry as frequently happens....perhaps they have but perhaps not often enough because bad driving still continues...perhaps it will take more deaths on the roads for someone to do something)

Whichever government department is responsible for overseeing health and safety inspections really need to improve their game.....training perhaps...looking at other countries to see how they do it....greater accountability....etc. I know that someone has been arrested and not sure what the current situation is.....nevertheless people should really turn their attention and focus on the people who are paid and responsible for health and safety inspections...these people are the ones who should be in the spotlight...lots of news stories about the man arrested but nothing on the health and safety inspectors....perhaps this will happen soon......take accountability if you can...!!