Question

Describe any three demands of the workers of Lenin shipyard during their strike which started in August 1980 in Poland.

Answer 1

Hint:The workers were not pleased owing to the economic difficulties prevailing since a decade in Poland.

Complete answer:
In July 1980, Edward Gierek's government which was in power faced an economic crisis and decided to raise prices while slowing the growth of wages. At once there ensued a string of strikes and factory occupations with the biggest strikes taking place in the area near Lublin. The first strike started on July 8, 1980 in the State Aviation Works in Świdnik and then in the Lenin Shipyard Anna Walentynowicz, a popular crane operator and activist, galvanized the outraged workers into action to protest against the government.
The three demands were:-
1.The strike committee demanded the rehiring of Walentynowicz and Lech Wałęsa who led the strike, as well as respecting workers' rights and other social concerns.
2. They demanded the release of political prisoners of the Government and putting an end to censorship of the press.
3. The workers wanted the right to form independent trade unions.

Note:The government tried to contain the information of these strikes, but soon the information got spread and there was a rise in the Solidarity movement in Poland which ultimately led to the demise of the communist regime.