Unionists demand the immediate resignation of ZUS President Zbigniew Derdziuk over alleged violations of conflict-of-interest laws.
Alleged Violation of Conflict-of-Interest Laws
Polish law strictly separates public functions from business activities to avoid conflicts of interest at the highest levels of power. However, Związkowa Alternatywa warns of a grave violation of these standards. Unionists revealed that Zbigniew Derdziuk, who has headed ZUS for nearly two years, still serves on the supervisory board of Relpol S.A. If confirmed, this is not a minor oversight but a breach of the law restricting business activities by public officials.
ZUS President Holds Dual Roles for Over 20 Months
According to data from the National Court Register and the company’s website, cited by “Wprost,” the current head of ZUS has held the supervisory role at the Żary-based company since 2017. The issue is that he assumed the ZUS presidency on April 30, 2024, which should have automatically required resignation from business activities. Unionists emphasize that maintaining both positions for over 20 months is unprecedented and undermines trust in an institution managing finances for millions of Poles.
Union Cites Anti-Corruption Law
Regulations in this matter are uncompromising: employees of central state bodies in managerial positions are strictly prohibited from serving on the supervisory boards of commercial companies. Piotr Szumlewicz, the union leader, directly points to Article 4 of the anti-corruption law. He argues that overseeing billions of zlotys in public contributions while holding a position in a private company is “unacceptable from a rule-of-law perspective,” creates corruption risks, and is a blatant circumvention of the law.
Unionists Demand Immediate Resignation
The situation has become so tense that social partners are demanding the president’s immediate resignation. Unionists believe that someone responsible for 45,000 employees and the pension system must be free from any suspicion. The choice is clear: either public service or a career in a corporate structure—these roles cannot be reconciled. Związkowa Alternatywa stresses that tolerating this state of affairs undermines the state’s authority.
Health Issues Amid Legal Pressure
In the background of the scandal, reports emerged of Zbigniew Derdziuk’s sudden hospitalization, with his duties temporarily taken over by board member Paweł Jaroszek. The deterioration in his health may be linked to stress from impending legal and reputational consequences. For Derdziuk, a veteran of Polish administration and former minister in Donald Tusk’s government, this crisis could mark the definitive end of his public sector career.
