Background information

Following the pressure of social partners, in August the parliament adopted changes to the anti-crisis legislation, according to which the terms of officials elected to trade union, union or organisation of entrepreneurs, unions of employers, their federations and confederations or social labour inspectors are to be prolonged for up to 90 days after the state of pandemics is revoked.

Content of measure

According to the amendment, "if the term of office of a statutory body of a trade union, union or organization of entrepreneurs, unions of employers, their federations and confederations or a social labour inspector expires during the period of the state of epidemic emergency or a state of epidemic declared due to COVID-19 or up to 30 days after the cancellation of the state in question, and due to the validity of the state they do not have the opportunity to hold elections, the term of office of such bodies shall be extended until the statutory body of the trade union, union or organization of entrepreneurs, employers' unions, their federations and confederations or the social labour inspector is elected for a new term of office, but not longer than 90 days from the date of cancellation of the state of epidemic emergency or the state of epidemic".

Use of measure

The new regulations are now in force.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Does not apply to businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Trade unions Employers' organisations	No special funding required

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative	Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative
Form	Direct consultation outside a formal body	Direct consultation outside a formal body

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: Peak or cross-sectoral level

Involvement

The social partners, especially trade unions exercised pressure in the government, which ultimately adhered to the postulates.

Views and reactions

Social partners look approvingly at the changes, as they are a result of their pressure.

Sources

• 16 August 2021: Extension of the term in office for trade union bodies and SIP (www.opzz.org.pl)
• 19 August 2021: The Act of 24 June 2021 amending the Act on Special Measures regarding Prevention, Counteraction and Combating COVID-19 Other Contagious Diseases and Crisis Situations Related and Some Other Acts of Law (isap.sejm.gov.pl)