From the very outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic, the Worker’s Initative Union — OZZ Inicjatywa Pracownicza (IP) has been working in defence of workers’ rights. The union focuses on the fight for secure and hygienic working conditions (which includes a complete closure of those workplaces whose activity is non-essential during the epidemic). At the same time, knowing that attempts will be made to make workers shoulder the costs of the ensuing economic crisis, the union is preparing for the conflicts that will arise. These activities are carried out by union representatives in branches locally and nationally.

Below is the detailed report on the union’s activities in March 2020.

Statement by National Committee of IP - The Workers’ Initiative Union (OZZ Inicjatywa Pracownicza) in response to the Polish government’s emergency measures in light of the Corona crisis

In response to the crisis brought on by the Corona virus pandemic, the government of Poland adopted a set of emergency measures they call the „anti-crisis shield”. Both the amount of money that the “shield” allocates for relief as well as the remedies it proposes, are either completely insufficient or downright misguided. Many of the “shield’s” measures will lead to lowering wages, weakening unions and making workers even more subordinate to our bosses than we already are. We categorically oppose all wage cuts: workers will not shoulder the costs of yet another crisis. Below, we highlight the government’s worst ideas and oversights. In what follows, we present a list of 10 demands that should be met and implemented immediately.