Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa has already paid the first severance packages of 170,000 zloty net to 526 workers who agreed to leave the company. By the end of the year, a total of 1,156 employees – including not only miners but also administrative staff and security personnel – are expected to receive the payment. At the same time, the government is funding pre-retirement leave for more than 3,000 people, who will receive 80 percent of their monthly salary for four to five years until they qualify for a pension.
The new regulations, reported by Rzeczpospolita, are designed to prevent abuse. For the first time in history, a state agency is verifying whether applicants have already benefited from similar social protection schemes offered since 1994. Those who took earlier state-financed incentives will not receive the current severance.
Each worker must sign a declaration acknowledging that the right to the benefit will be lost if they take up any form of employment – whether under an employment contract or a civil law agreement – in a mining company, in a company providing mining services, or in a role related to mining operations or mechanical coal processing. The same applies to starting a sole proprietorship offering such services or acquiring pension rights while on leave.
Lifelong ban and strict verification
The declaration states: „I am aware of losing the granted right if, during the period of using it, I take up employment under an employment contract or a civil law agreement in a mining company, in another company providing mining services for a mining company, at a position related to conducting mining works or mechanical coal processing, start providing services in the field of mining works or mechanical coal processing for a mining company within the framework of a business activity, including a sole proprietorship, or acquire pension rights.”
This means that anyone who accepts the severance or the pre-retirement leave is effectively banned for life from returning to the Polish mining sector. The same restriction applies even if they would later want to work for a subcontractor of a mining firm.
Coal phase-out until 2049
The mining severance and leave schemes are also available to employees of Polska Grupa Górnicza (PGG). The Polish government’s plan to phase out coal mining is scheduled to continue until 2049. The current payments are part of a broader social transition package aimed at cushioning the impact of mine closures on workers and local communities.
Labor unions have cautiously welcomed the financial support but criticise the severity of the restrictions. Some workers argue that the lifelong ban is disproportionate, especially for younger employees who may want to change careers. However, the government insists that the conditions are necessary to ensure public money is not wasted and that the industry’s downsizing proceeds without people exploiting the system.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Shutterstock/Carlos Tovar Photographer
