DISABLED PEOPLE ON THE LABOUR MARKET IN POLAND – FOCUS ON RURAL AREAS OF THE MASOVIAN VOIVODSHIP

Abstract

The aim of the paper was to present and assess the economic activity of disabled people on the Polish labour market from a country, voivodship, and Masovian Voivodship rural areas’ perspective. The study used data from the Labour Force Survey in Poland collected by the Central Statistical Office and original data collected by a questionnaire, using public institutions, NGOs and direct interviews. The adopted research period covered the years 2007-2018. Japanese candlestick charting as well as tabular and selected statistical methods were used to present the research results. Levels of analysed Polish labour market indicators for disabled people increased noticeably in the analysed period, however persisted significantly below those for non-disabled people. At a voivodship level, the study showed that rates and changes of economic activity in the group of disabled people differed visibly. The highest economic activity rates were observed in the Subcarpathian, Lubusz and Holy Cross voivodships, while the lowest in the West Pomeranian and Lesser Poland voivodships. In 15 voivodships, the unemployment rate decreased significantly in the analysed period. Survey results highlighted a relatively high employment rate and low earnings rates in the researched group of disabled people from the Masovian Voivodship, where the level of education had a significant positive impact on those rates.