End of RDS Disputes: Government Announces 2027 Minimum Wage and Hourly Rates

Following a breakdown in negotiations within the Social Dialogue Council, the Polish government has released a draft regulation setting the 2027 gross minimum wage at 4,950 PLN.

End of Disputes in the Social Dialogue Council

The minimum wage in 2027 is set to increase by 450 PLN to a gross amount of 4,950 PLN, according to the latest draft regulation by the Council of Ministers. Following a lack of agreement in the Social Dialogue Council, where union and employer sides presented vastly different visions, the government was left to determine the final new rates. These changes will also apply to individuals working under civil law contracts.

Government Reveals Rates for 2027

The minimum wage in 2027 will rise to 4,950 PLN gross, and the minimum hourly rate will increase to 32.30 PLN gross, under the Council of Ministers’ draft regulation. These amounts are analogous to the figures previously presented to the Social Dialogue Council for negotiation.

Details of the Proposed Minimum Wage

According to the published draft regulation concerning the amount of the minimum wage for work and the minimum hourly rate in 2027, the minimum wage will amount to 4,950 PLN gross. This represents an increase of 144 PLN compared to the current amount, or 3 percent.

Increase in the Minimum Hourly Rate

The government also intends for the minimum hourly rate for specific civil law contracts in 2027 to be 32.30 PLN gross. This is an increase of 0.90 PLN compared to the rate applicable in 2026.

Negotiation Failure in the RDS

No agreement could be worked out in the Social Dialogue Council regarding the minimum wage. The trade union side’s proposal assumed an increase in the minimum wage to at least 5,200 PLN, while the employers’ side maintained the stance that the increase should not exceed what the government proposed.

Legal Framework for Government Intervention

Under regulations, if the Social Dialogue Council fails to agree on the minimum wage and hourly rate within the statutory deadline, the Council of Ministers sets these amounts by September 15 via regulation. However, the rates set by the Council of Ministers cannot be lower than those previously presented to the Social Dialogue Council for negotiations.

What is the Social Dialogue Council?

The Social Dialogue Council serves as the forum for tripartite dialogue in Poland and cooperation between employees, employers, and the government at the central level. The RDS replaced the Tripartite Commission for Socio-Economic Affairs, which had been operating since 1994.