Poland’s largest coal miner, Polska Grupa Górnicza (PGG), has set up consultation points in its mines to help employees navigate the company’s voluntary departure package. Workers can get information on mining leaves, severance payments and ZUS procedures in person, by phone or via the employee portal.
The points, launched in mid-October 2025, have already handled thousands of inquiries. According to PGG, more than 600 applications have been sent to ZUS for certification of eligibility for mining leave or leave for workers in mechanical coal processing.
Employees most often ask about leave conditions, severance pay, pension entitlements and how absences due to illness affect their mining work record. The company says the initiative is part of its restructuring plan and aims to support workers during the transition.
Consultation points across the company
At the Bolesław Śmiały mine, the point has served around 400 people and sent over 60 applications to ZUS by the end of May. Workers there also inquire about making up for sick leave periods and the exact date they qualify for retirement benefits.
“We see a growing interest, especially after the application window opened,” said a PGG spokesperson. “At Murcki-Staszic, about 800 workers were eligible for mining leave at the start of the year, and many have already used the consultation point multiple times.”
The ROW mine operates five consultation points. So far, 570 applications have been submitted to ZUS, and about 390 decisions have been returned. Around 1,000 underground workers and 190 mechanical coal processing workers have used the service.
Detailed support at individual mines
At Piast-Ziemowit, approximately 1,000 workers have visited the consultation point since its launch. The Ruda mine recorded the highest numbers: about 4,000 consultations in total, with 3,000 at the Bielszowice unit and 1,000 at Halemba.
“Employees at Ruda are also asking about redeployment and employment in the newly established liquidation department,” the spokesperson added. At Sośnica, three points have provided 350 consultations to 260 workers. At Mysłowice-Wesoła, the point gave over 620 consultations between October 2025 and April 2026, with a noticeable spike after the application process began.
PGG is the largest coal company in Poland and focuses on supplying domestic power plants. The consultation network is a key element of its restructuring program, ensuring workers have clear information about their options.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Materiały prasowe / PGG / Bożena Sieja
