On August 16, we celebrate Cash Pay Day. On this occasion, the Coalition for Cash prepared 2 draft pro-cash laws and asked the president of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, to submit them to the Sejm as part of the presidential initiative.
Why cash? Cash payment is freedom of choice, privacy, independency and real safety in crisis situations (e.g. blackout). Poles are afraid about the decreasing number of ATMs and bank facilities that supply cash handling.
Banks liquidate ATMs, resulting in the formation of “bank slot”. In addition, we are dealing with the systematic simplification of cash withdrawal limits from ATMs. In the era of mass financial digitization, the Coalition for Cash reminds us: you have cash, you have a choice.
– On the occasion of Paying Day, we ask the president of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, to submit 2 presidential legislative initiatives to the Sejm to facilitate the usage of cash and giving them the right to choose the form of payment – cash or card. Coalition for Cash prepared 2 draft laws for the president of Poland – says Rafał Górski, president of the Institute for civilian Affairs.
– Cash Day this year is the 4th time we celebrate. We chose the date on purpose. On 16 August 1794, during the Kościuszkowski Uprising, the first Polish paper money went into circulation in Warsaw. The ultimate Council made this decision due to the fact that the conflict for independency required funds for military and arms, and the state treasure was empty. There was no gold and silver to beat coins. For over a period Prussian and Russian troops have surrounded Warsaw – adds Górski.
According to the Polish safety Printing Works, “the first Polish banknotes were initially issued in 7 denominations, from PLN 5 to 1000. It was thanks to them that the insurgent authorities financed war spending and regular trade continued. However, the life of the first paper golds was short, disappeared with the fall of the First Republic. They came back a 100 years ago under Grabski's reform. These modern ones, which we have in our portfolios, have been in force since the denomination carried out in 1995."
– We call on the recently sworn president of the Republic of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, to take a legislative initiative to amend the Law of Entrepreneurs, and specifically to change Article 19 by expanding the limit of cash turnover between entrepreneurs from PLN 15 1000 to the equivalent of EUR 10 thousand. The current highly low limit raises our large doubts about its compliance with the constitutional rule of freedom of economical activity. Nor does it consequence from the requirements imposed by the European Union – notes Aleksandra Wróbel, Regulatory Analyst in the Department of Law and Legislative of the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers.
– In addition, we note that it has not been adjusted to inflation in 8 years. In our view, today's limit is mainly affecting micro and tiny entrepreneurs, where the economical turnover continues to be mostly cash. That is why we ask the president to support our initiative, which – which is worth noting – fits perfectly in the current deregulation trend in Poland and Europe. Our initiative concerns not only entrepreneurs, but all of us – adds Sparrow.
– The second pro-cash task is the introduction of mandatory acceptance of cash in parking lots. The Act on the work to accept cash payments contains a valid exclusion for vending machines – in fact it is not always possible to accept cash in specified devices. However, with large concern, we observe how local governments usage this solution to push non-cash payments in parking lots. We must not let public institutions to refuse to pay in cash. The freedom to choose the payment method is fundamental, so we can only applaud innovative payment solutions if we do not disable the others Alexander Pawlak, expert at the Warsaw Enterprise Institute, emphasizes.
– We would besides like to draw attention to the absurd rhetoric defending the liquidation of cash: this is explained by the comparatively low share of cash payments, while their decline is due to the elimination of cash payment opportunities. Technology is no obstacle to the anticipation of paying cash in self-service devices – cash registers, parking lots, tolls. We besides find it irresponsible that the full payment infrastructure, the circulation of the full Polish economy, should be based only on 2-3 entities. The presence of an additional payment method is not only a comfort, but besides a safety for the state and consumers. Moreover, competition generates natural and constant force to improve the quality of services and reduce their costs, both in cash and in cashlessness. Since a number of specified devices are already on the Polish streets, we supply for a transitional period of 2 years and an immediate ban on the installation of fresh non-cash devices – Pawlak adds.
Why is it worth to be active in the celebration of Cash Pay Day? due to the fact that it's not just a symbolic gesture. This is simply a real action to preserve our right to choose. Paying cash is an act of opposition to the imagination of a society in which all financial decision we make is tracked and analysed. It besides supports local stores and services that frequently like cash, avoiding advanced commissions imposed by large Techy and global payment corporations.
– What can each of us do on 16 August on Cash Pay Day? It's easy! That day, if you can, pay in cash. A grocery store, a bakery, for a bus ticket. Talk to your household and friends about why cash is crucial to you. Share Hashtag #Pay Day Cash in your social media. Sign our petition “Cash Gun!” to tell your friends – says Ilona Pietrzak – president of ESG PRO Sp. z o. o.
– Tell us your cash story. If the store or office refuses you the right to pay in cash, compose a letter to the Ombudsman and the National Bank of Poland (and inform us about it). Transfer the donation to the fight against the non-cash lobby of Poland. Or possibly you have your own thought of how to celebrate Cash Day. Let us know about him. all act matters! Small, big, everybody – encourages Górski, president of the Institute of civilian Affairs.
– Remember to celebrate Cash Day all day, not just August 16 – Pietrzak emphasizes.
The Cash Coalition is simply a bottom-up social initiative designed to advance the regular usage of cash among citizens and entrepreneurs. It brings together over ideas, organisations curious in protecting cash before liquidation. The members of the Coalition are: ESG PRO Sp. z o.o., Forum Law for Development, Foundation of the Libertatis Institute, Foundation of Freedom and Entrepreneurship, Foundation of Freedom and Property, Institute of civilian Affairs, National Secretariat of Banks, Trade and Insurance NSZZ “Solidarity”, Civic Accelerator of Innovation; Polish Network of Economics, Polish economical Society, Association of halt Banking Lawlessness, Tavex Sp. z o.o., Warsaw Enterprise Institute, Association of Entrepreneurs and Employers.
Source: Coalition for Cash / Citizens' Institute.pl
The European Union is introducing fresh restrictions on cash payments. Credit cards are besides targeted
