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31 August

'I belong to the generation of workers who, born in the villages and hamlets of rural Poland, had the opportunity to acquire education and find employment in industry, becoming in the course conscious of their rights and importance in society.' _ Lech Walesa
August 2009


Today in 1980, Polish workers led by electrician Lech Walesa won the right to independent trade unions and to strike.

The 'Gdansk Agreement' meant Poland became the first Eastern Bloc country to recognise an independent trade union movement.






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