Poland Ministerstwo Pracy

Poland Strengthens Labour Inspectorate to Combat Bogus Civil Contracts

President Andrzej Duda signed Poland's National Labour Inspectorate (PIP) reform bill on April 2, 2026, granting inspectors new powers to combat 'junk contracts' by transforming improperly concluded civil contracts into employment contracts. The law introduces individual interpretation procedures allowing employers to verify compliance proactively, enables data exchange between PIP, ZUS, and the National Revenue Administration, and at least doubles the maximum fine in misdemeanor proceedings.

Poland and Japan Sign Social Security Agreement

Poland and Japan signed a bilateral social security agreement on April 15, 2026, at Kantei (Japan's Prime Minister's Office), with Polish Deputy Minister Sebastian Gajewski and Japanese Ambassador Akira Kono signing on behalf of their respective governments. The agreement, concluded after six rounds of negotiations held in Warsaw, Tokyo, and online since 2021, is designed to strengthen cross-border social security coordination, enable easier transfer of pension benefits between countries, and prevent double payment of social contributions. It incorporates international standards including equal treatment, free transfer of benefits, aggregation of insurance periods, and application of a single legislation.

Aktywny Żłobek Sensory Rooms 2026: £7.9M Grant, Applications Until Apr 26

The Polish Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy announced a 41.7 million PLN (approximately £7.9M) grant programme 'Aktywny Żłobek – sale sensoryczne 2026' to equip childcare institutions for children under 3 with sensory integration equipment. Applications open 1–26 April 2026, with decisions published by 25 May 2026. Three funding tiers apply: up to 80,000 PLN for nurseries, up to 60,000 PLN for children's clubs, and up to 20,000 PLN for day-carers.