In Huta Stalowa Wola, a call to strengthen arms production was voiced during a gathering with workers at the local plant. The message came from the President of Law and Justice, who underscored the need for such capacity in times of conflict at Poland’s borders and emphasized that a robust defense industry should play a central role in national resilience.
The event began with a personal reflection from the speaker, who admitted arriving at the factory hall after many years away. He recalled being at the Gdańsk shipyard during two lengthy strikes nearly four decades ago, an experience tied to the rise of Solidarity. That era, he said, marked the most significant social movement in Poland and perhaps in Europe, shaping the generation’s sense of purpose. The speaker expressed gratitude for the invitation and for the opportunity to mark a moment when difficult problems begin to yield to collective effort.
Following the introductory remarks, the discussion turned to conversations with representatives of Solidarity about labor pensions and increases. The dialogue, though challenging, contributed to a broader shift in how Poland recognizes and rewards long service. The speaker noted the historic events of August 1980 and described the path that lies ahead between those milestones, including the crucial issue of trainee pensions. He described this as a hard but essential route that ties memory to policy and ensures that a nation learns from its past while building a fairer future for workers. He argued that a decision about the country’s path would come in October, with opportunities for families across Poland to advance alongside Europe’s most developed economies. The emphasis was on lifting the standard of living so that the country can stand on its own two feet, free from the burden of a system that often seemed unfair and inefficient to many citizens.
The speaker warned against a return to a status that would reduce Poland to a source of cheap labor or a site for basic warehousing and simplified manufacturing. He stressed that eight years of steady work have transformed the local steel mill into a symbol of how strategic industries can drive regional and national development. In this light, Huta Stalowa Wola was highlighted as a place with real potential to contribute to Poland’s sovereignty and economic modernization.
The emphasis on defense and industrial capacity extended to the site’s broader importance. The speaker reiterated the need for expanded arms production, arguing that maintaining robust defense capabilities is essential for safeguarding national borders. In closing, the message reflected a blend of historical memory, economic pragmatism, and a forward-looking plan that ties the fate of Polish workers to a secure and prosperous national trajectory. The discussion with Solidarity figures and the witness to Poland’s industrial landscape together illustrate a policy vision that connects the past with practical steps toward the future, all framed around dignity for workers and the security of the nation.