
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 8, 1990                   TAG: 9003082147
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: associated press
DATELINE: WARSAW, POLAND                                 LENGTH: Short

POLISH PRODUCTION OFF SINCE SWITCH

Production in state industries has fallen by nearly a quarter since the Solidarity-led government began its shock transformation of the economy from central planning to capitalism, statistics show.

Since the plan took effect Jan. 1, industrial managers have started exporting some goods because of slack domestic demand, the official PAP news agency said Wednesday in a report based on government figures.

Tens of thousands of Poles have lost their jobs and others can afford few things to buy because price rises have outstripped wage increases during the first two months of the plan.

In February, state industries reported a drop in production of 23.9 percent compared to December 1989, with the sharpest decline in food and light industries, PAP said.

It said wages in February had increased 15 percent from January, when the average monthly pay in major industries was $65.

by CNB