Social Welfare Unions Demand Monthly Bonus Payments Amid State Funding Delays

The Polish Federation of Trade Unions of Social Workers and Public Assistance demands the Ministry of Family streamline government motivational bonus funding amid severe, months-long payout delays across voivodeships.

Union Appeal for Monthly Payouts

Social welfare unit employees do not always receive government motivational bonuses on time, warns the Polish Federation of Trade Unions of Social Workers and Public Assistance. The family ministry has been asked to streamline the financing system for the program supporting social welfare tasks.

The Federation turned to the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Policy regarding implementation problems with the government program titled “Co-financing of remuneration of employees of organizational units of social assistance in the form of a motivational bonus for the years 2024–2027.”

Unionists point out that funds intended for bonus payments do not reach units smoothly, causing payout delays. Information reported by eligible employees shows that delays in transferring these funds in individual voivodeships reach up to several months this year.

The Federation noted that similar problems occur with the program co-financing wages in family support and foster care system units for 2024–2027. The organization appealed to Family Minister Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk to take action to streamline fund transfers so bonuses are paid regularly in monthly cycles.

Scope of the Motivational Bonus Program

The program was introduced to support wages of persons employed in organizational units of social assistance. Motivational bonuses are granted to employees performing social assistance tasks, employed under Article 25 of the Act of March 12, 2004, on social assistance in units run by local government units or operating on their behalf.

The benefit covers, among others, persons employed in units carrying out statutory social welfare tasks.

Program Budget and Allocation up to 2027

The program is planned for 2024–2027. According to the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Policy, the total amount allocated for its implementation is PLN 6,721,400,000.

Funds are allocated to local government units, which subsequently pay out the bonuses to eligible employees.

Employer Obligations and Legal Liability

For bonuses financed by a government program, correct implementation of rules in the Council of Ministers’ resolution and financing principles is crucial. If a unit received funds and the employee meets conditions, non-payment can be challenged as a violation of employer duties.

Under Article 94 point 5 of the Labor Code, employers must timely and correctly pay remuneration and other employment-related benefits. Under Article 282 § 1 point 1, failing to pay wages or benefits on time is punishable by a fine from PLN 1,000 to PLN 30,000.

Budgetary Delays and Unit Responsibility

If a local government unit has not yet received program funds, it must clarify the delay with the voivode or appropriate funding body. If the unit received funds but failed to pay the employee, it faces accusations of failing to fulfill its payment obligation, requiring social welfare unit managers to monitor funding closely.