Sejm to debate new PiP reform today at 18:30, which gives labor inspectors power to convert civil contracts to employment agreements.
Parliamentary Debate Schedule
First reading of the PiP reform project is scheduled in the Sejm at 18:30. Parliamentary clubs will present their positions on the proposed changes, followed by debate.
Key Reform Elements
Granting the inspection authority to convert contracts is one of the so-called milestones, from whose realization the payment of funds from the National Reconstruction Plan depends. Poland has until June 30 of this year to implement the EU directive.
The first version of the project prepared by the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy was not accepted by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. As the head of government explained in mid-January, excessive power for officials introduced by the reform would be destructive for companies and would mean job loss for many people.
A new version of the project appeared at the end of January on the Government Legislation Center website. It maintained granting PIP the competence to convert civil law contracts into employment contracts, but the appeal process against the inspector’s decision was clarified. The appeal will be able to be directed to the regional labor inspector, and then to a common labor court. Until a final ruling, the inspector’s decision will be suspended.
Appellate Process Changes
According to the project, the regional labor inspector – in case of irregularities – will have the possibility of choosing a reaction measure: from issuing an order, through issuing a decision establishing the existence of an employment relationship, or referring a lawsuit to court.
After the inspector’s decision, the parties (employer and employee) will be able to sign an employment contract. If such an action is taken and receives the approval of the labor inspector, the proceedings will be terminated without the need to take further administrative action.
An appeal from the decision of the regional labor inspector to court can be filed within 30 days. The project provides that the court’s consideration of the appeal should take place within 30 days. As announced by Minister Adam Szłapka, labor courts are to be “significantly strengthened”.
Inspector’s Powers and Worker Protection
The amendment is also to introduce protection for employees against unfavorable treatment related to the inspector’s decision. The project indicates that this decision cannot be, among other things, the reason for termination of the employment relationship by the employer.
The project also provides, among other things, for the exchange of information and data between ZUS, PIP and KAS for the needs of control and risk analysis, and for streamlining PIP control by introducing remote controls. It also assumes increasing penalties for violations of employee rights.
Background and Context
The PiP reform, especially the possibility of converting civil contracts into employment contracts, has sparked wide discussions in recent months. Entrepreneurs were against this change, while trade unions defended it.
According to the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy, at the end of Q2 2025, nearly 1.5 million people in Poland were working exclusively on contracts for services and similar contracts. This – as the ministry pointed out – is the most since GUS (Central Statistical Office) has been publishing data on this topic.
