1.
GV Detergent factory (2 shots)
0.05

2.
CU/ZO Woman worker packing detergent
0.15

3.
CU Boxes of detergent
0.17

4.
SV Fork lift loads boxes onto trucks
0.24

5.
INTERIOR supermarket GV PAN empty shelves
0.34

6.
SV People queueing
0.38

7.
SV PAN TO Boxes detergent at counter (2 shots)
0.47

8.
EXT GV Laundry
0.50

9.
SV INT People doing their washing
0.54

10.
SV Ironing machine
1.01

11.
CU Woman washing clothes in basin at home and dishes (2 shots)
1.24




Initials PM





Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: INTRODUCTION: Poles already enduring chronic food supply problems and price increases are now facing new shortages.At a time when butter and meat are among a long list of items that have been increasingly difficult to get, their ordinary household cleansers have also become hard to find on shop shelves.

SYNOPSIS: This is the Pollena detergent and cosmetics factory, Warsaw.Although the plant produces about 80 tonnes of detergent each day, the shortages have still arisen.There are new rumours in Poland that in future consumers will have to get detergent by ration card.

The near-empty shelves of the big Megasam supermarket in Warsaw testify to the fact that many goods are in short supply, and now despite the efforts of the detergent factories, demand has outstripped supply in yet another area, and the detergent shelves are depleted.Queueing will finally procure a packet of it for the consumer, however.

Of course, the shortage is really being felt in the laundries.Privately-owned laundries are the worst-hit, because customers generally have to provide their own detergent.State laundries are in a better position, with monthly allowances, but with the shortage they are reducing the amount used in each wash.

At home the shortage really matters - being the difference between dirty clothes and dishes and normal cleanliness.For those who are desperate, foreign imports can sometimes be bought.