Solidarność, Federacja Związków Zawodowych and Kadra – the representative trade unions at Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa (JSW) – have demanded immediate government intervention, warning of a deep liquidity crisis at the company and accusing state institutions of passivity in the face of cheap coal imports from Indonesia.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the unions describe the situation at JSW as a “deep, structural liquidity crisis.” They claim the company has lost the ability to secure market financing, is covering current payroll through ad-hoc asset sales, and that its key coking segment, JSW Koks, is generating massive accumulated losses.
“Further delay means a real risk of permanent destruction of jobs, weakening of Poland’s raw material base, and loss of strategic production capacity in the steel sector,” the unions warn in the document.
Imports from Indonesia and missing EU protection
The unions point to surging imports of coking coal from Indonesia, which they say are pushing domestic producers out of the market. They note that JSW repeatedly approached the European Commission and Polish ministries but, as of May 2026, has obtained neither binding protective measures nor a formal EU decision.
– The actions of state administration have been completely insufficient. JSW’s formal appeals did not translate into effective protective instruments or real, written financial support commitments. Such passivity in the face of cheap imports and rapid financial losses is unacceptable to us – the trade unionists wrote.
They emphasised that they expect the prime minister to take decisive steps: stop personnel games within decision-making structures, force subordinate ministries to implement real protective actions against uncontrolled imports, and present a clear rescue plan for JSW.
Strategic raw material at risk
The JSW capital group is the only producer of hard coking coal in the European Union and one of the leading coke producers used for steelmaking. Coking coal has been classified as a critical raw material for the EU, meaning its economic importance is strategic but supply is high-risk.
“Further lack of dialogue and concrete decisions by the Polish government will force the social side to take radical steps in defence of our jobs and the future of the region,” the unions warned.
The letter ends with a call for immediate action, stating that the current situation is “unacceptable” and that the unions are ready to escalate their protest if no response from the government follows.
Źródło: wnp.pl, Fot. JSW / Dawid Lach
