The Polish government is preparing a new bill to double fines for labor law violations, including under-the-table payments and wage theft, with the Sejm set to debate the proposal this May.
Proposed Legislative Changes
The government plans to significantly tighten regulations regarding the violation of employee rights. A new draft law, which the Sejm will address on May 27, introduces stricter penalties and new types of offenses for employers.
Increased Fines for Labor Violations
In most cases, fines will double. For basic violations, such as failure to pay wages or neglecting employer obligations, the penalty will range from 2,000 PLN to 60,000 PLN, up from the current 1,000 PLN to 30,000 PLN.
New Offense for Wage Theft
The bill adds a new provision to the Labor Code. Under the proposed Article 282 § 4, employers who fail to pay wages for at least three months will face fines ranging from 5,000 PLN to 60,000 PLN or restricted liberty.
Penalties for Off-the-Books Payments
Maximum fines for under-the-table payments or circumventing alimony deductions will rise to 90,000 PLN. Currently, employers failing to deduct alimony from wages exceeding contract amounts face fines between 1,500 PLN and 45,000 PLN.
Automatic Interest for Late Payments
The project mandates automatic interest for delayed wage payments. Employees will receive this interest without needing to file a formal request, and employers must calculate and pay it alongside the overdue salary.
Higher Fines for Health and Safety Breaches
The draft also increases penalties for violating occupational health and safety regulations. These fines are set to rise from the current range of 1,000–30,000 PLN to a new range of 2,000–60,000 PLN, effective January 1, 2027.
