21 demands of MKS

Other demands called the government to respect the constitutional rights and freedoms, dismantling the privileges for Polish United Workers' Party members, and taking actions to improve the economic conditions of Polish citizens.

To mark the first anniversary of the August unrest, the demands were put on display in Gdańsk’s Maritime Museum.

The day after Martial Law was declared one museum worker hid them in his loft, where they remained forgotten until 1996.

Now added to the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, they can be found housed in Gdańsk’s Roads to Freedom exhibition.

Acceptance of free trade unions independent of the Communist Party and of enterprises, in accordance with convention No.

Availability to the mass media of information about the formation of the Inter-factory Strike Committee and publication of its demands.

A full supply of food products for the domestic market, with exports limited to surpluses.

The abolition of commercial prices and sales for Western currencies in the so-called internal export companies.

Selection of management personnel on the basis of qualifications, not party membership, and elimination of privileges for the state police, security service, and party apparatus by equalization of family allowances and elimination of special sales, etc.

Assurances of a reasonable number of places in day-care centers and kindergartens for the children of working mothers.

Workers in the brigade system or round-the-clock jobs are to be compensated for the loss of free Saturdays with increased leave or other paid time off.