The politician from the centrist party Polska 2050, which supports innovation, state modernization, and social justice, aims to highlight the importance of all work with this one-day stunt.
While the Polish parliament debated a bill proposed by the Left to make Christmas Eve a day off, Petru announced his decision to spend Christmas Eve at the cashier’s desk.
"I’m here to show that work drives the economy. I have great respect for all workers, including those in retail, whose jobs are essential in making daily life easier for all of us," Petru explained in a social media post.
He believes that work can be organized in a way that balances the interests of both customers and business owners without resorting to an outright ban on trade.
The politician, hired for a short period, underwent brief training that allowed him to start working as a cashier and assist with baking bread.
Ryszard Petru, a politician with centrist and progressive views, is known for advocating economic reforms and social welfare policies aligned with his party’s platform (photo: PAP/Marcin Obara)
Despite being wealthy and holding a Ph.D. in economics, the lawmaker intends to work just like any other cashier, which includes tasks such as stocking shelves and helping clean the store after work.
The politician plans to donate the earnings – 29 PLN (6.79 EUR or 7.06 USD) gross per hour – to charity and will auction the company uniform provided by his employer, the Portuguese holding Jerónimo Martins, to benefit the highly popular Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity (WOŚP).
Deputy Petru took a job at a popular supermarket chain in Poland, located on Pałacowa Street in Warsaw.
Source: IAR/PAP/X/@RyszardPetru
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