On Friday, the Social Dialogue Council failed to reach a joint position on raising the minimum wage for 2025. Trade unions demanded an increase in the monthly gross minimum wage to PLN 5,015, while the government proposed PLN 4,806. The government now has until September 15 to make a final decision on the matter.
At the plenary meeting, the Social Dialogue Council discussed the proposed levels of the minimum wage and the minimum hourly rate for 2026, as well as the projected average annual growth rate of wages in the public sector for that year.
The government proposed that, starting January 1, 2026, the gross monthly minimum wage should be PLN 4,806, and the minimum hourly rate for certain civil law contracts should be set at PLN 31.40. The Council of Ministers presented this proposal to the Social Dialogue Council on June 13 via the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy.
During the discussion, trade unions strongly criticized the government’s proposed minimum wage, maintaining their earlier stance that next year’s minimum wage should be no less than PLN 5,015 gross.
“The minimum wage should be a subject of consensus, but it also needs to be based on other factors, such as energy policy and its impact on electricity prices for businesses,” emphasized Dorota Gardias, chair of the Trade Union Forum.
Piotr Duda, head of the NSZZ Solidarność and chair of the Social Dialogue Council, stressed that the government’s proposal and employers’ expectations are unacceptable. He described the government’s suggested raise as “90 groszy of shame for both employers and the government.”
Employers Oppose Wage Increases
On the other hand, employer representatives took a more moderate stance on the government’s proposal, calling it a compromise solution. Organizations such as the Polish Economic Society and the Polish Craft Association expressed support for the government’s approach.
“As employers, we believe that minimum wage increases should be slowed down for some time, and this year the increase should be around PLN 50,” said a representative of the Polish Employers’ Association.
Łukasz Bernatowicz, President of the Management Board of the Business Centre Club, emphasized that the government’s approach to raising the minimum wage is rational.
“According to the consensus of representative employer organizations, including the BCC, the minimum wage increase in 2026 should be based on the index specified in the current law and should not exceed PLN 50,” noted Witold Michałek from the BCC.