Work suspended on bill empowering labour inspectors to confirm existence of employment relationship

At a glance

• In January 2026, the Polish Prime Minister announced the suspension of work on the bill extending the powers of the State Labour Inspectorate (PIP) to confirm the existence of an employment relationship.
• This decision met with opposition from a part of the governing coalition. Following consultations with the left-wing faction in the coalition, it was clarified that suspending work on the bill in its current form does not mean the reform will be completely abandoned.
• In the near future, work on a new version of the bill is expected to resume, with particular emphasis on ensuring the possibility of filing appeals with common courts against the decisions of PIP inspectors.

At the very beginning of 2026, the government suspended work on the bill expanding the powers of the State Labour Inspectorate (PIP), which was to enable inspectors to determine the existence of an employment relationship. The Prime Minister’s decision - shaped, among other things, by concerns that the changes could adversely affect market freedom and freedom of choice in employment – has halted further work on the bill in its current form.

However, the Prime Minister’s statement was met with disapproval from a part of the governing coalition, triggering dialogue with the left-wing faction that had been advocating for the PIP reform. As a result, it was announced that work would continue on a revised version of the bill. Most importantly, the new version is expected to include guarantees of an effective right to appeal against a PIP inspector’s decision confirming the existence of an employment relationship.

Although the original bill is still on the website of the Government Legislation Centre, it will no longer be processed in its current form.