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hrvatski
Joined: 16 Nov 2008
Posts: 270
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 Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:56 am Post subject: Poland's economic future |
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There's a lot of talk going down on this forum about how life in Poland in the here and now is economic suicide.
So I'm interested to know, how do you see Poland's future? When do you predict things will get better, if ever? Do you see salaries and prices evening out any time soon? |
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Jack Walker
Joined: 23 Oct 2008
Posts: 412
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| Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 10:52 am Post subject: |
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If the sands of time remain unchanged,I see an empty place by the fire and a crutch .........oops.wrong story! 
In the future, I am sure Poland will be a country for rich people.The top 10 percenters if you will.The "I'm going to Brazil tomorrow for a week" type people.
We're heading down that path now and I don't think it's going to improve anytime soon.
Imagine if Polish women were like the 200kg British heffers.Would any of us still be here?I think not.
Seeing the odd bit of eye candy on the street is what keeps me going most days.  |
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Blasphemer
Joined: 03 Dec 2008
Posts: 199
Location: NYC/Warszawa
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| Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:41 pm Post subject: |
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From the www.cia.gov site
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| In 2007, GDP grew an estimated 6.5%, based on rising private consumption, a jump in corporate investment, and EU funds inflows. GDP per capita is still much below the EU average, but is similar to that of the three Baltic states. Since 2004, EU membership and access to EU structural funds have provided a major boost to the economy. Unemployment is falling rapidly, though at roughly 12.8% in 2007, it remains well above the EU average. Tightening labor markets, and rising global energy and food prices, pose a risk to consumer price stability. In December 2007 inflation reached 4.1% on a year-over-year basis, or higher than the upper limit of the National Bank of Poland's target range. Poland's economic performance could improve further if the country addresses some of the remaining deficiencies in its business environment. An inefficient commercial court system, a rigid labor code, bureaucratic red tape, and persistent low-level corruption keep the private sector from performing up to its full potential. Rising demands to fund health care, education, and the state pension system present a challenge to the Polish government's effort to hold the consolidated public sector budget deficit under 3.0% of GDP, a target which was achieved in 2007. The PO/PSL coalition government which came to power in November 2007 plans to further reduce the budget deficit with the aim of eventually adopting the euro. The new government has also announced its intention to enact business-friendly reforms, reduce public sector spending growth, lower taxes, and accelerate privatization. However, the government does not have the necessary two-thirds majority needed to override a presidential veto, and thus may have to water down initiatives in order to garner enough support to pass its pro-business policies. |
From "The Economist"
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| Poland�s government is probably the least feeble in eastern Europe. It does not have to cope with either a collapsing property bubble or a highly leveraged financial system. Its biggest flaw is probably going easy on corruption, which the Kaczynskis tackled with wild (but often counterproductive) zeal. The uklad�Polish shorthand for the stew of ex-spooks, officials and tycoons who some believe still wield the real power in the land�may be relaxing. But all Poles are facing the economic downturn with increasing nervousness. |
From "The Heritage Foundation"
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oland's economy is 59.5 percent free, according to our 2008 assessment, which makes it the world's 83rd freest economy. Its overall score is 2.1 percentage points higher than last year, reflecting improved scores in financial freedom and the investment climate. Poland is ranked 35th out of 41 countries in the European region, and its overall score is lower than the regional average.
Poland scores moderately above average in half of the areas measured: trade freedom, monetary freedom, investment freedom, financial freedom, and property rights. The average tariff rate is low, although non-tariff barriers include distortionary EU subsidies of agricultural and other goods. Inflation is also low.
Poland faces several economic challenges, as do other formerly Communist nations, but is progressing. It remains weak in government size, freedom from corruption, and labor freedom. The court system, though fairly reliable, is prone to inefficiency and sudden changes in laws or regulations. Foreign investment is generally welcome, but foreign ownership of companies in certain industries is limited. The financial sector is subject to government interference but is well regarded overall.
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If you visit the WTO page (as much as I dislike these guys) you can also find some intersting reads in PDF formats that reflect the upcoming changes in Poland. |
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Master Shake
Joined: 03 Nov 2006
Posts: 1202
Location: Colorado, USA
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| Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 5:23 am Post subject: |
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| Jack Walker wrote: |
| If the sands of time remain unchanged,I see an empty place by the fire and a crutch .........oops.wrong story! |
I worked in Gdansk for most of last year. Made a little over 2000/month net. I paid 750 to share a small flat in a rough neighborhood on the edge of town.
Paying 1/3 of your earnings on rent sucks. Can't say I want to do it again. |
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Jack Walker
Joined: 23 Oct 2008
Posts: 412
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| Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 5:18 pm Post subject: |
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| Master Shake wrote: |
| Jack Walker wrote: |
| If the sands of time remain unchanged,I see an empty place by the fire and a crutch .........oops.wrong story! |
I worked in Gdansk for most of last year. Made a little over 2000/month net. I paid 750 to share a small flat in a rough neighborhood on the edge of town.
Paying 1/3 of your earnings on rent sucks. Can't say I want to do it again. |
I can't blame ya! |
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seethetraffic
Joined: 21 Oct 2007
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 3:11 am Post subject: |
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| Master Shake wrote: |
| Jack Walker wrote: |
| If the sands of time remain unchanged,I see an empty place by the fire and a crutch .........oops.wrong story! |
I worked in Gdansk for most of last year. Made a little over 2000/month net. I paid 750 to share a small flat in a rough neighborhood on the edge of town.
Paying 1/3 of your earnings on rent sucks. Can't say I want to do it again. |
Sorry, was that 2000 zloty or pounds or dollars? |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 6:20 am Post subject: |
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| Smart TEFL dudes head for places that pay real wages. Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman. |
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Richfilth
Joined: 24 Sep 2007
Posts: 225
Location: Warszawa
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| Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 7:02 am Post subject: |
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| The day I move to one of those countries is the day Switzerland declares war on somebody! |
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Jack Walker
Joined: 23 Oct 2008
Posts: 412
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| Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 8:56 am Post subject: |
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| Richfilth wrote: |
| The day I move to one of those countries is the day Switzerland declares war on somebody! |
I agree Mr.Richfilth.I know there is more money elsewhere, but there are some places which I wouldn't feel comfortable going to.
After 10 years,my ESL career is coming to an end anyway, so I'm not too worried.
Soon be heading back to Canuckistan and taking out a 25 year mortgage and a car loan.  |
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dynow
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 1080
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| Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 9:23 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| The day I move to one of those countries is the day Switzerland declares war on somebody! |
agreed.
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I agree Mr.Richfilth.I know there is more money elsewhere, but there are some places which I wouldn't feel comfortable going to.
After 10 years,my ESL career is coming to an end anyway, so I'm not too worried.
Soon be heading back to Canuckistan and taking out a 25 year mortgage and a car loan. |
Mr. Jack, if i may ask, what are you planning on doing in Canada? You said you would continue teaching in an earlier post, no? If so, what subject?
I'm actually considering teaching ESL in the states in the public school system. It's in demand because of so many foreigners living there, and starting salaries are a little higher than most subjects because of it. I'm a Biology graduate myself and was also considering teaching that (which is in even higher demand) but I think I have forgotten 97% of everything I studied and don't know if i could pass the Praxis exam. |
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Jack Walker
Joined: 23 Oct 2008
Posts: 412
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| Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 2:41 pm Post subject: |
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| dynow wrote: |
| Quote: |
| The day I move to one of those countries is the day Switzerland declares war on somebody! |
agreed.
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I agree Mr.Richfilth.I know there is more money elsewhere, but there are some places which I wouldn't feel comfortable going to.
After 10 years,my ESL career is coming to an end anyway, so I'm not too worried.
Soon be heading back to Canuckistan and taking out a 25 year mortgage and a car loan. |
Mr. Jack, if i may ask, what are you planning on doing in Canada? You said you would continue teaching in an earlier post, no? If so, what subject?
I'm actually considering teaching ESL in the states in the public school system. It's in demand because of so many foreigners living there, and starting salaries are a little higher than most subjects because of it. I'm a Biology graduate myself and was also considering teaching that (which is in even higher demand) but I think I have forgotten 97% of everything I studied and don't know if i could pass the Praxis exam. |
Yes,Mr.Dynow,I'll go back into the public school system as a teacher of language arts.
I majored in English Literature and then did the high school teaching degree.
Even if I don't find a job right away,I'll probably just head back and sub for awhile.There's good money to be made in that short term.
Actually,I applied for 6 short-term replacement positions yesterday.
I wouldn't worry too much about forgetting some of your biology studies.I think it'd come back to you quickly if you got back into the flow. |
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dynow
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 1080
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| Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 5:55 pm Post subject: |
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I wouldn't worry too much about forgetting some of your biology studies.I think it'd come back to you quickly if you got back into the flow. |
I would like to think so.
What I was thinking was because I would be coming directly off a 4-5 year ESL stint overseas, it would make me quite marketable for an ESL position at a high school and possibly boost the starting salary a couple of bucks. After a year or two of teaching, maybe I would make a move back into Biology, but I figured ESL would get me in the door the quickest.
Again, regarding the middle east, i think one would have to be mighty brave to venture out there. i would imagine it's nearly impossible to find a woman native english speaker out there as well.
from what i hear though, the pay is fantastic, that's for sure. |
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Jack Walker
Joined: 23 Oct 2008
Posts: 412
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| Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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I think starting off in ESL would be a great idea back in your own country.Over the past couple of years,I've applied for several ESL positions back home, but never even got as much as a sniff.
I have lots of experience, but it seems to me that they want to hire people who are already living there, rather than doing long distance phone interviews and what not.
I know a bloke who just cam back from 3 or 4 years in Saudi Arabia.He told me the money was capital, but it's the land of the blokes and he got tired of the daily life there and never seeing any women.
Some things are more important than money. |
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dynow
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 1080
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| Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 7:42 am Post subject: |
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Over the past couple of years,I've applied for several ESL positions back home, but never even got as much as a sniff.
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yeah, this is what i expected. another reason why i am thinking of doing ESL for at least the first couple years. coming off a 4-5 year ESL stint in Eastern Europe, getting myself reaclimated with the US, i need to give myself the best chances for a job ASAP, and I don't expect to hear much from schools while I'm out here. |
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anospi
Joined: 03 Dec 2004
Posts: 152
Location: Perth, Western Australia
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| Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 8:25 am Post subject: |
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| This has been my experience. I'd been in Poland for two years, and before I came back home to Australia I sent some emails to language schools. I got one reply telling me to get in touch when I was in town. Then when I did arrive I did the same as I would anywhere. I donned a nice pair of slacks, printed out a few copies of my CV and hit the streets. Fortunately I was overwhelmed with choice. Although I think the fact I'm half way through a Masters with an Aussie uni helped. |
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