“Mr. Motyka, either you have the guts to come here to this mine, or we’ll come and get you in Warsaw if we have to. […] Let this not spill over. Let this man’s decisions not lead to tragedies,” thundered Grzegorz Babij, head of Solidarność at PG Silesia, after reading a letter sent to miners by the Minister of Energy.
The New Year does not look optimistic for miners. The management of Przedsiębiorstwo Górnicze “Silesia” in Czechowice-Dziedzice has announced collective layoffs already in the first half of January. A group of several dozen miners descended half a kilometer underground, where they began a protest action. The miners presented a number of demands, the most important of which is extending protections to miners working in private entities, as is the case with state-owned mines.
Ministers from the Presidential Chancellery—Karol Rabenda and Mateusz Kotecki—appeared at the site today. After talks with the protesting miners, they took part in a press conference.
“The protesters underground are determined to see their demands met. On behalf of the President, I appeal to the government side to clarify this matter and resolve it positively,” Rabenda said.
He admitted that although the President had signed an amendment to the mining law, it is not free of flaws.
“It does not treat all miners in Poland equally, hence the President’s announcement of an amendment to this law. I reaffirm the President’s declaration. Before the next session of the Sejm, we will submit such an amendment if the government side continues to avoid the topic. Today, miners in state-owned facilities are covered by protections, while miners in private mines are not. This creates chaos and confusion,” he added.
Motyka Writes to the ‘Silesia’ Miners. “Is He Even Well?!”
At a press conference convened several minutes later, the first to speak was Grzegorz Babij, head of Solidarity at PG Silesia.
“Yesterday we had enormous difficulty controlling the people. Crowds of workers finishing their shifts did not want to come back up to the surface,” he said.
He assured that the condition of all miners is good, although a doctor will soon join them. “That is the employer’s decision,” he indicated.
Babij reported that the miners of “Silesia” had received a letter from Miłosz Motyka, the Minister of Energy.
“I’ll say this straight to the cameras. This is a slap in the face to a PG Silesia miner. I will read this letter,” he announced, and began:
“Ladies and Gentlemen,
In connection with the protest action that began on December 22, 2025, at the PG Silesia Mining Plant, I ask you to suspend the above-mentioned action for the holiday and New Year period and to return to talks after January 6, 2026. At the Ministry of Energy, intensive work is underway to find legislative solutions, including the possibility of supporting PG Silesia employees. The situation of PG Silesia requires, in particular, verification of the possibility of granting aid, taking into account the applicable provisions of national law and public aid notification procedures. I assure you that social issues, including the situation of people employed in mining plants and mining-related companies, remain of particular interest to me.”
“Show this to the world—this is how miners are treated. For several months there’s been ‘analysis.’ The law has already been signed, and they’re still analyzing. What am I supposed to do? Go down to the miners and show them this scrap of paper underground? Is this man even well? Mr. Motyka, either you have the guts to come here to this mine, or we’ll come and get you in Warsaw if necessary. A PG Silesia miner did not deserve this,” he addressed the minister directly.
“Christmas is coming, and the guy sends me such a libelous screed. People will give notice, they will quit. But let this not spill over. Let this man’s decisions not lead to tragedies,” he concluded.