Efforts to overhaul Poland’s medical pay structure stalled this week after trade unions abruptly exited a tripartite meeting, accusing the government of advancing reforms without adequate financial data or political backing to address a widening budget gap.
The meeting, convened by the health ministry, was intended to bring together unions, employer representatives and government officials to discuss proposals for revising pay mechanisms for medical staff. However, within 30 minutes, union delegates left after their request to postpone proceedings, due to the absence of a finance ministry representative, was rejected.
At the heart of the dispute are plans to amend the Health Workers’ Minimum Wage Act, which links annual pay rises to the previous year’s national average salary. The system has become increasingly costly: this year’s adjustment required an additional €4.24bn, while the healthcare budget faces a shortfall of €3.31bn, projected to widen to €5.46bn next year.
Wage freeze
Government proposals under discussion include freezing the wage act for two years, delaying indexation from July to January, and introducing a salary cap of about €10,500 gross per month for full-time doctors – an idea that has provoked strong opposition from medical professionals.
Employer groups acknowledged the severity of the sector’s financial strain and criticised the absence of the finance ministry, calling it “unjustifiable” given the National Health Fund’s growing reliance on state resources. Deputy Health Minister Katarzyna Kęcka pledged to secure the finance ministry’s participation at the next meeting on 2 December.
The employers’ side issued a statement following the meeting, recognising that the current healthcare situation is extremely serious and demands responsible dialogue from all parties involved.
They added, “We unequivocally condemn the absence of a representative from the Ministry of Finance during the meeting, which not only contravenes the Team’s regulations but is also unjustifiable given the National Health Fund’s growing reliance on budgetary funds.” Nevertheless, the employers’ side expressed their willingness to continue the dialogue.
Unions insist that talks cannot resume without a senior government representative and detailed data on the health fund’s finances. “We fear the only solution will be to take money from those on minimum wages, which are already insufficient,” said Maria Ochman, head of Solidarity’s health section.
(VA, BM)
