Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Friday that the signing of the 1980 August Agreements was a victory for unity and the fighting spirit.
The PM made the statement at the unveiling of the government's plan to develop the shipbuilding industry on Ostrów island (western Poland).
Later in the day, he was scheduled to take part in a meeting of the regional board of the Solidarity trade union.
"For my generation and for all Poles," PM Morawiecki said, "those days 38 years ago, especially that day exactly 38 years ago, was a big, exceptional victory of unity, of fighting spirit and above all it was a struggle for freedom in a captive country."
As the head of the cabinet added, leaders of the Solidarity movement such as Anna Walentynowicz emphasised forgiveness, rather than revenge, and the August Agreements with the then communist state "were Solidarity's hand outstretched to all those who were then in charge of Poland."
The PM also thanked all shipbuilders who "took a stand on those barricades of freedom" at the time.
On August 31, 1980, Poland's then communist government signed an agreement with a committee representing over 700 striking workplaces around Poland.
In a televised event, the authorities agreed to the formation of new, independent, autonomous trade unions (leading to the creation of the famous Solidarity organisation) and gave employees the right to strike, among other concessions.
Autor: gf / Źródło: TVN24 International, PAP