History

In 1998 some members of the Polish Business Roundtable (PRB) concluded that the times when the interests of entrepreneurs and employers can be represented by accidental or exclusive associations or chambers with minimal powers are over. They decided to found a confederation of employers, and the private ones, with a highly expert character, able to use all powers which an organisation of employers is entitled to. Four branch associations of private employers were created quickly: media and advertising, banks and financial institutions, food industry and consulting, which created Polish Confederation of Private Employers.

 

The most important dates

1999

  • 7 January 1999 - enrolling the Polish Confederation of Private Employers in the Provincial Court in Warsaw
  • 1 October 1999 - the PKPP Lewiatan opens its independent office at 6 Klonowa street in Warsaw

2000

  • 8 February 2000 - meeting of the PKPP Lewiatan authorities with the "Solidarity" trade union presidium
  • 29 March 2000 - meeting of the PKPP Lewiatan authorities with the OPZZ trade union presidium
  • 27 April 2000 - proclamation of the PKPP Lewiatan Capitalist Manifesto
  • 9 June 2000 - the PKPP Lewiatan becomes an observer in the UNIC

2001

  • 19 June 2001 - an official opening of the PKPP Lewiatan office in Brussels
  • 21 June 2001 - speech by the PKPP Lewiatan President, Ms. Henryka Bochniarz, at the Conference of the Polish Bishops
  • 6 July 2001 - adoption of the law on the Tripartite Commission on the Social and Economic Affairs and Voivodship Social Dialogue Commissions
  • 23 November 2001 - the first meeting of the new Tripartite Commission on the Social and Economic Affairs, established under the law, with the participation of the PKPP Lewiatan

2002

  • 1 January 2002 - the PKPP Lewiatan becomes and associated member of the UNICE
  • 10 April 2002 - signing an agreement with the All-Polish Alliance of Trade Unions concerning amendment of the Labour Code and related laws
  • 26 July 2002 - the Polish parliament adopted the Labour Code amendment consistent with the agreement negotiated with the PKPP Lewiatan participation
  • 18 November 2002 - decision by the Constitutional Tribunal, confirming that non-termination of collective labour agreements is inconsistent with the Polish constitution. Decision was made upon the motion submitted by the PKPP Lewiatan
  • 6 December 2002 - meeting of the Council of the UNICE Presidents before the EU summit in Copenhagen during which negotiations were closed

2003

  • 16 March 2003 - inauguration of the Civic Initiative „Yes in referendum", organised in Płock
  • 9 April 2003 - General Assembly of the PKPP Lewiatan, adoption of assumptions to the Lewiatan economic programme
  • 6 May 2003 - PKPP Lewiatan publishes "Black List of Barriers to Entrepreneurship"
  • 13 June 2003 - the PKPP Lewiatan accedes the BIAC
  • 18 October 2003 - establishment of the first PKPP Lewiatan Civil Spokesman of the Entrepreneurs
  • 12 November 2003 - the Polish parliament adopts amendments of the CIT and PIT laws reducing the income tax rate for entrepreneurs to 19%
  • 2 December 2003 - signing agreement on the results of negotiations within the Tripartite Commission on Social and Economic Affairs
  • 16 December 2003 - awarding the President of the Polish Confederation of Private Employers, Ms. Henryka Bochniarz, the Andrzej Bączkowski prize
  • 23 December 2003 - signing an autonomous agreement between employers and the All-Polish Alliance of Trade Unions concerning economic issues

2004

  • 15 January 2004 - entry into force of the amendment of the Code of Commercial Companies developed with the participation of the PKPP Lewiatan. Changes meet expectations of entrepreneurs since they liberalise numerous rules concerning companies.
  • 1 April 2004 - for the first time the PKPP Lewiatan awards W. Grabski and A. Wierzbixki prizes
  • 30 April 2004 - the PKPP Lewiatan announces "European Manifesto" - a solemn declaration of the historic significance of the European Union enlargement in its market, social and cultural dimension.
  • 31 May 2004 - inauguration of the Personal Directors Council acting at the PKPP Lewiatan as its advisory body in matters concerning labour relations and social dialogue
  • 1 July 2004 - full membership of the PKPP Lewiatan in the UNICE
  • 2 July 2004 - thanks to an active lobbying by the PKPP Lewiatan the Polish parliament adopts the law in the freedom of economic activity which has significantly simplified functioning of economic operators in Poland.
  • 19 October 2004 - the PKPP Lewiatan signs an agreement with the World Bank concerning establishment of the Private Sector Liaison Officer to the World Bank's Group

2005

  • 25 January 2005 - the Polish Confederation of Private Employers Lewiatan establishes the Taxation Council which is designed to act as an advisory body in tax matters.
  • 25 April 2005 - the PKPP Lewiatan introduces a new system of visual identification
  • 26 April 2005 - inauguration of the Arbitration Tribunal at the PKPP Lewiatan.
  • 1 July 2005 - Ms. Henryka Bochniarz, the PKPP President, takes the position of the UNICE Vice President
  • 30 September 2005 - beginning of the Lewiatan Business Angels - a club of investors financing innovative companies at an early stage of their development
  • 20 December 2005 - the PKPP Lewiatan presents its own draft amendment of the VAT law

2006
18 Jan. 2006 New professional association founded - Association of Private Employers in Energy Sector
25 Feb. 2006 Henryka Bochniarz wins the Przegląd Techniczny "Lever 2006" award her actions for increased competitiveness in economy
9 May 2006 Lewiatan Award ceremony (Wladysław Grabski and Andrzej Wierzbicki Awards). Winners: Dalia Grybauskaite, Krzysztof Pawinski, Jacek Socha and Wieslaw Rozlucki
22 June 2006 "Working Poles 2005" - conference presenting results of study commissioned by Lewiatan
12 July 2006 PKPP Lewiatan's social manifesto; key message: the objective of the economy is to produce means to achieve social goals
10 Aug. 2006 Two new regional unions founded within Lewiatan: Kujawy-Pomerania Organization of Employers (Kujawsko-Pomorska Organizacja Pracodawców ) and West Pomerania Union of Employers (Związek Pracodawców Pomorza Zachodniego)
1 Dec. 2006 Lewiatan's success ¬- zero excise tax on cosmetics comes into life

2007
15 Feb. 2007 Henryka Bochniarz awarded with the Chair of the Year for Polish Economy on behalf of the Entrepreneurship Council
28 Feb. 2007 Lewiatan and KPMG conference "Migration, mobility, flexibility - the new model of the labour market"
5 Mar. 2007 "Black list of barriers to development of entrepreneurship" announced
12.Apr.2007 General Meeting of Founders of the newly established union in Wrocław
16 May 2007 General Meeting of PKPP Lewiatan. Henryka Bochniarz again elected President, , Henryk Orfinger again elected Chairman of the Main Council
16 May 2007 PKPP Lewiatan award gala. Andrzej Wierzbicki award goes to Solange and Krzysztof Olszewski;
Wladyslaw Grabski award - to Grazyna Gesicka;
Lewiatan special award - to Danuta Hübner, Wladyslaw Bartoszewski and Tadeusz Mazowiecki
21 May 2007 "Benefactor of the Year" gala. Henryka Bochniarz awarded with the special Friend of the Competition Prize
1 June 2007 PKPP Lewiatan initiates the "Equal Chance Company" competition as part of the Gender Index project
13 July 2007 PKPP Lewiatan friends' Summer Picnic
17 Sep. 2007 Conference "Working Poles 2007"
3 Oct. 2007 Tax Council conference "Tax Almanac"
16 Oct. 2007 Conference "Competitiveness of the SME sector in 2007"
28. Nov. 2007 PPP centre organizational meeting
14 Dec. 2007 Gender Index conference - presentation of research results under the Equal Chance Company 2007 competition

2008
10 January - Black list of barriers announced
14 January - KPMG report on migration
17 January - 1st Employers' Congress
21 January - Equal Chance Company gala
6 March - Press conference concerning Business for Environment Awards
26 March - Polish-Dutch round table on economic matters with Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende and Minister of European Affairs Frans Timmermans
7 April - PPP centre inauguration meeting
7 April - PKPP Lewiatan management meeting
15 -16 April - Visit of Turkish delegation
24 April - Meeting with Trade Union Forum
7-8 May - 1st MRR (Regional Development Ministry) European Funds Forum. PKPP Lewiatan conference "Innovative development"
12 May - Meeting of representatives of employers' organizations from the Baltic region countries held by the Latvian employers' organization
26 May -PKPP Lewiatan Award gala
17 June - Conference "Flexicurity"
2 July - Dublin Foundation meeting
9 July - Zielna Centre - conference with UKIE (Office of the Committee for European Integration) "Four years of Poland's membership in the EU"
10 July - Centre PPP, the foundation's notary deed signed
11 July - Debate with Glos Biznesu and Friends' Picnic
29-31 August - Mikolajki, 1st PKPP Lewiatan sailing regattas

2009
7 January - a Sejm debate on the reasons of unemployment among the disabled
13 January - a meeting of the Power Industry Private Employers' Union's representatives with Minister Michał Boni
14 January - the Panel of Public Dialogue Experts
21 January - the Management Board's meeting with the participation of Minister Adam Szejnfeld
27 January - a press conference: "How to Protect Workplaces in the Face of the Economic Crisis?"
5 February - a press conference: "Budget Cuts Alone Are Not Enough"
19 February - a press conference: "The Black List of Barriers"
23 February - The PPP Centre Founders' Meeting
23 February - a meeting with the President of the Republic of Poland and with social partners concerning the crisis
25 February - a meeting held at the Presidential Palace with the representatives of the government, trade unions, local authorities and economists concerning the current socioeconomic situation
3 March - a meeting involving the Heads of the Enterprise Congress
9 March - a press conference devoted to the Congress of Polish Women: Women for Poland, Poland for Women
9 March - a meeting with Ms Róża Thun, a head of the European Commission Representation in Poland
13 March - a ceremony of awarding 10th anniversary prizes and a debate involving prime ministers
13 March - a General Founding Assembly of the Aviation Industry Employers' Union
16 March - a gala celebrating the 10th anniversary of PKPP Lewiatan
18 March - a meeting of Lewiatan members with the representatives of the Office for Competition and Consumer Protection
2 April - a press conference: "Are Large Companies Afraid of the Crisis?"
8 April - a press conference: "How do Companies Communicate Socially Responsible Activities?"
6-8 May - a conference and a meeting with the Commissioner Vladimír Špidla to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the coordination of social security systems and of the workforce free movement
7-8 May - PKPP Lewiatan's participation in the European Funds Forum organised by the Ministry of Regional Development
4 June, Kraków - the Commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of Regaining Independence and of the Fall of Communism in Central Europe
6 June, Lublin - the Gala of Science and Business
20-21 June - the Congress of Polish Women "Women for Poland, Poland for Women"
22 June - a press conference: "What is the Situation of Polish Companies? Will the Stimulus Package Help Them?"
26 June - a Tax Council Conference: "A Systemic Reform of Personal Income Taxes"
29 June - A Debate: 5 Years after the Accession. New EU Members - Appraisals, Forecasts and Prospects
9 July - economic workshops for the Polish youth abroad
4-6 September - the 2nd PKPP Lewiatan Regatta, Masuria
9-11 September - the Economic Forum in Krynica
18 September - the Lubuskie Economic Forum
24 September - a meeting with the president of the Office for Competition and Consumer Protection
29 September - a meeting with Polish MEPs in Brussels
2 October - a conference entitled: "Innovation and Technology Credits"
6 October - workshops entitled "How to Reduce Energy Consumption in Small and Medium Companies?"
4 November - a debate held under the auspices of PKPP Lewiatan: How to save Money on Treatment, Not on the Patient's Health?"
6 November - the Enterprise Congress Council
4-6 December - the Businesseurope Presidents' convention in Stockholm

2010
6 January - a meeting at the Ministry of Economy concerning the amendment to the National Court Register Act
12 January - a press conference on the Human Capital Programme stimulus package: Spur Your Company into Action
13 January - a meeting of the working group dealing with open-end pension funds
14 January - a press conference: "Does Polish Economy Stand a Chance of a 3% Economic Increase in 2010"
15-17 January - the 3rd Lewiatan Skiing Competition in Krynica
18 January - CSR project consultatory meeting for members of the Board of Personnel Directors 
20 January - meeting with the President of the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) regarding electronic storage of personal data of employees
21 January - meeting with J. Bańka (ZBP) regarding consumer bankruptcy 
22 January - meeting at PKPP Lewiatan with representatives of the Association of Temporary Employment Agencies (ZAPT) regarding the President's draft of an amendment to the Act on hiring temporary employees
1 February - meeting of the Enterprise Congress Council 
1 February - a press conference: will a Polish company be awarded the "Business for the Environment" European Prize? 
11 February - Industrial Affairs Committee BUSINESSEUROPE meeting
19 February - meeting of the Enterprise Congress Council and a press conference of the Congress
10 March - Enterprise Day at PKPP Lewiatan (visits by high school students)
16 March - meeting with representatives of the Japanese Ministry of Trade and Economy
17 March - Business Round Table. Low-emission economy in Poland: business perspectives and recommendations. A debate attended by the Prince of Wales.
23 March - PKPP Lewiatan Management Board meeting attended by the Minister of Justice, Mr Krzysztof Kwiatkowski
9 April - "Post-Crisis capitalism" conference
22 April - Debate regarding "Culture Sponsorship"
26 April - 7th edition of the "Black List of Barriers for Enterprise" conference
27 April - PKPP Lewiatan General Meeting
10 May - PKPP Lewiatan Award Ceremony
8 June, 11 am - a press conference: "Changes in the Polish economy structure - which industries ensure an economic growth?"
14 June, Warsaw Stock Exchange - a press conference of the Women Congress
16 June - a conference held by PKPP Lewiatan under the banner: „Consumer credit in Poland. Regulatory changes: opportunities and challenges"
12 July - Lewiatan Friends' meeting
13 July - meting with the Secretary of State for the European Affairs and the Economic Policy, Mr Mikołaj Dowgielewicz, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
5 August - a press conference under the banner: "Are Polish companies becoming more innovative?"
3-5 September - 3rd PKPP Lewiatan Regatta
9 -10 September - 20th Economic Forum in Krynica
14 September - a conference: CSR as a source of social innovation
22 September - a press conference: additional PLN 7.4 billion can be saved in the 2011 budget
24-25 September - the Lubuskie Economic Forum 2010
12 October - meeting with representatives of the Swedish-Polish Chamber of Commerce
15 October -"Working Poles 2010; 20 years of transformation" conference
26 October - a conference held by the Court of Arbitration under the banner: "International investment arbitration - the need for changes in terms of legal regulations"
16-17 November - Carbon Trust expert visit to Poland
23 November - meeting of the New Ideas Forum Program Committee
29 November - award ceremony for the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, Embassy of Japan
30 November - Meeting of the PPP Centre Foundation Board

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