The Unknown Challenges and Search for Effective Methods for Easing the Epidemic Threat to the Economy and the Labour Market: Socio-economic Analysis of the Polish Example

Abstract

The analysis focuses on the economic situation and the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the situation of companies and labour market in Poland in the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic (March−April 2020). The article refers to the institutional analysis of instruments developed and implemented in Poland to support companies in the field of liquidity protection, protection of jobs and deferral of taxes and administrative levies. Poland’s response to the threat of the epidemic quickly took on a radical form compared to other EU countries, the form of an extensive strategy called the Anti-Crisis Shield. Two possible scenarios were considered: 1. an optimistic scenario − the scale of the disease will decrease in May 2020, 2. a pessimistic scenario − the consequences of the pandemic will be felt in the Polish economy even until July 2020 (an increase in unemployment by 1 million people). Social dialogue seems to be important for short-term and long-term coordination of economic interests and legislative agenda during the implementation of the anti-crisis strategy in Poland.