This article addresses the question of social consequences of the present financial and economic crisis in Europe. Firstly, it considers the process of implementing fiscal consolidation measures taken in selected EU countries, including substantial cuts in welfare payments and benefits. Secondly, it reviews a few signs of rethinking the dominant paradigm of development and philosophy of social policy which also result from the recent turbulences in global and European markets. Thirdly, the author concludes that the future of the European Union itself may be subject to important changes, including possible transition from the monetary union to a budget and social union.

The superannuation system introduced in Poland in 1999 has largely limited the constitutional right of individuals to social security after retirement as it lacks primary features (paradigms) of social insurance. In the first pillar insurance scheme (repartition scheme), some of the superannuation insurance paradigms have been retained (including solidarity and redistribution). However, new elements such as individual accounts (with contribution payments record) or defined contribution payments have grossly reduced the retirement risk protection turning the superannuation insurance compulsory saving scheme. The second pillar insurance scheme (capital scheme), by definition, is not a typical social insurance. It is based on the system of compulsory individual investments where a number of risks, including both individual risk (biotic risk) and general risk (market, political etc.), are imposed on its members and social solidarity effects are eliminated.

The article focus on the process of creation of the network of institutions that can support the development of social economy in Poland. The activity of such system should play key role in the process of social and professional activation of disadvantaged peoples. The most important element of this institutional infrastructure have to play the Centers of Social Economy, that emerge recently numerously in Poland through the support of European Social Fund. The Author specify the key functions, that should fill those Centers in the development of social enterprises in Poland.

Discrimination means a breach of the principle of equality, which orders equal treatment "uniform" people. The purpose of this article is attempting to identify specific types of discrimination against women in the context of the selected criteria, with particular emphasis on labour market context. In article emphasized the following criteria of gender discrimination: a discriminatory person, preferences of a discriminatory person, transparency, degree of connection persons with the labour market and guaranteed the rights of women.

Nowadays one of the principal objectives of vocational rehabilitation of the disabled is the adjustment of employment opportunities to individual preferences and capabilities of the group in question. The fulfillment of this goal requires a solid empirical basis which would provide information about the professional situation of the respondents and its determining factors. These issues are subject to discussion in the present work which demonstrates the results of studies conducted with the participation of professionally active people with disabilities. The analyses undertaken for the purpose aimed at determining the interdependence between the level of professional identification and job satisfaction. In order to realize this aim the researchers applied a set of self-devised analytical tools. The findings obtained from the studies, which should be regarded as a contribution to further exploration of the issues, made possible not only the description of the persons reporting a particular level of professional identification but they also facilitated the assessment of job satisfaction in terms of 1) compatibility of expectations and capabilities with job requirements, 2) career opportunities, 3) personal contribution to professional duties, 4) remuneration, 5) formal and organizational aspects of working conditions, 6) adjustment of physical conditions to the limitations resulting from disability, 7) social support (given and received) at workplace, as well as 8) social relationships. Last but not least, the findings helped to determine the degree of job satisfaction in the above mentioned categories among the persons reporting various levels of professional identification.

Two waves of post-war relocations to Poland didn't solve the problem of the Polish Diaspora in the Soviet Union. Cenzus data showed the presence over one million of persons of Polish nationality. From 1990 relocations are held exclusively by virtue of Polish regulations. The act passed in 2000 on the repatriation didn't meet expectations of Poles associated with mass immigration from the Asian part of former Soviet Union. In 2010 a civil bill arose about the return of Poles victimised by Soviet authorities from the Asian part of former Soviet Union. The project obliges Polish authorities for bigger involving in the relocations process.

Book reviews
Information

THE FINANCIAL CRISIS IN EUROPE - IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL POLICY - Włodzimierz Anioł
RETIREMENT RISKS AND NEGLECTED PATTERNS OF SOCIAL PROTECTION - Urszula Kalina-Prasznic
THE INSTITUTIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE OF SOCIAL ECONOMY IN POLAND - Mikołaj Niedek
KINDS OF GENDER DISCRIMINATION ON THE LABOUR MARKET - Patrycja Zwiech

JOB SATISFACTION AMONG DISABLED PEOPLE WITH VARIOUS LEVELS OF PROFESSIONAL IDENTIFICATION - Stanisława Byra, Monika Parchomiuk

LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS OF CONTEMPORARY PATTERNS OF RESETTLEMENTS: SUGGESTED CHANGES - Paweł Hut

Jerzy Wratny, M. Bednarski (eds.), TRADE UNIONS AND NON-UNION FORMS OF EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATION IN THE POST-TRANSFORMATION ECONOMY - Reviewed by Jan Czarzasty

ON THE JOB: PERSPECTIVE OF SOCIAL POLICY. CONFERENCE IN POZNAŃ - Joanna Ratajczak-Tuchołka
CONTEMPORARY DILEMMAS OF LABOR MARKET. CONFERENCE UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS IN KATOWICE - Anna Skórska
CONTEMPORARY CONDITION OF TRADE UNIONS AND EMPLOYERS' ORGANIZATIONS. DEBATE OF ILSS - Marta Derlacz-Wawrowska
COLLAPSING ECONOMIES AND EMPLOYMENT: EUROPEAN PATTERNS. CONFERENCE IN PILZNO - Leszek K. Gilejko, Jan Czarzasty