Work conditions in Poland

The Active Population in Figures

Working Conditions

Legal Weekly Duration

40 hours

Retirement Age

60 for women and 65 for men, but following the revision of the pension system in 2012, the retirement age will be gradually increased to 67.

Working Contracts

Employment agreements can have a fixed term or an indefinite term. It is possible to enter into a separate contract for a trial period of up to three months.

Legal measures govern work contracts; collective agreements and individual negotiation complete them, but to a lesser extent.
The formality of work contracts and the conditions of hiring and dismissal are extremely rigid.

Labour Laws

Consult Doing Business Website, to obtain a summary of the labor regulations that apply to local entreprises.

Cost of Labour

Minimum Wage

Since the 1 January 2022, the minimum wage is PLN 3,010 per month (Polish government)

Average Wage

In the first quarter of 2022, the average monthly gross wage and salary amounted to PLN 6,235.2 (Statistics Poland).
According to the OECD, Polish people earned USD 33,850 per year on average in 2021, much less than the OECD average of USD 52,436.

Social Contributions

Social Security Contributions Paid By Employers: Pension fund (9.76%), disability fund (6.50%), accident insurance (0,67% - 3,33%), labour fund contribution (2.45%), Employees' Guaranteed Benefits fund contribution (0.10%)
Social Security Contributions Paid By Employees: Old age pension (9.76%), disability insurance (1.50%), sickness benefits (2.45%), health insurance (9%)

Social Partners

Employer Associations

PKPP - Polish Confederation of Private Employers
Pracodawcy RP - Employers Confederation of Poland

Social Dialogue and Involvement of Social Partners

The law provides for the rights of workers to establish and join independent trade unions, bargain collectively, and conduct legal strikes, but there are limitations. Violations of workers’ rights to organise, join unions and to strike, as well as anti-union discrimination occur. There are a few unions: the free independent union of Poland (NSZZ), the alliance of all Polish unions (OPZZ) and the Polish union of teachers (ZNP).

Labour Unions

Solidarnosc (NSZZ)
All-Poland Alliance of Trade Unions (OPZZ)
Polish union of teachers (ZNP)

Unionisation Rate

Union membership has been declining and is currently estimated at 12% of workers.

Labour Regulation Bodies

Ministry of labor and social policy