Poland's unemployment rate at lowest level in 25 years

Poland's unemployment rate was at 8.2 percent in October, the lowest level since 1991, the Radio Poland reported Sunday.

In October, about 1.4 million Poles, or 8.2 percent of the population, had no fixed employment. It is nearly 15,000 people less than in September and is the best result in the past 25 years.

Polish Deputy Labor Minister Stanislaw Szwed said if the government introduces universal health coverage, the rate could be lower.

Szwed added the unemployment rate might slightly rise in November and December due to seasonal fluctuations, but the long-term perspectives are promising.

The reason some people register as unemployed just because they want to get free health insurance, but the government's plan could reverse the trend, he added.

Currently, only those who have a full-time contract and have contributions to the Social Insurance Institution are included in the free healthcare system, the free-lancers and self-employed are not included. But those registered as unemployed have the state cover the cost of their insurance.

According to Szwed, the government manages to introduce a nationwide free and universal health service for all citizens. If it takes effect, the unemployment rate would drop to under eight percent in 2017, Szwed said. Endit