2025-12-22 14:25
publication
2025-12-22 14:25
The government does not remain indifferent towards PG Silesia; Possible forms of support for the plant's employees are being analyzed – said Minister of Energy Miłosz Motyka on Monday. Several dozen miners from Silesia refused to go to the surface on Monday; They are protesting, among other things, against planned layoffs.
On Monday, Artur Kasprzykowski from Solidarity near Beskids reported that at 6 a.m. some of the miners of Przedsiębiorstwo Górniczy “Silesia”, who were finishing their fourth shift, refused to go to the surface.
The chairman of NSZZ Solidarność in Silesia, Grzegorz Babij, told PAP that the protest is not organized by any of the unions; is a grassroots initiative. – The protest is caused by the government's mistreatment of us, employees, – he added. As he said, miners from Silesia were not covered by the protections introduced by the amendment to the Act on the Operation of Stone Mining. The layoffs announced by the owner and the threat of closing the mine were also important.
Minister of Energy Miłosz Motyka, referring to this matter in a post on the X platform, emphasized that PG Silesia is a private company and the government is not indifferent to its situation or to the concerns of its employees.
He added that together with the deputy minister of energy, Marian Zmarzły, who will meet with the chairman of the unions, he is analyzing possible forms of support for the plant's employees. “In such enterprises, the decision on support must be based on applicable regulations – specifically the Restructuring Law. The company is currently in restructuring proceedings, and the law does not allow for granting public aid to companies from the mining sector in such a situation. This is a formal block, not a government decision,” wrote Motyka.
“We understand the concern of the crew and local communities, which is why we are analyzing possible actions. An application to discontinue the restructuring proceedings has already been submitted, and after considering it, we can move on to the next steps. The state must manage public aid responsibly, especially if it means helping private entities. However, this responsibility does not mean indifference – that is why we are working on solutions that can help employees of PG Silesia,” he emphasized.
Babij previously explained that employees informed trade unions about their action. The leader of Solidarity was to visit the protesters before noon, of whom – as he said – there were several dozen. – They called me and asked if we, as Solidarity, would help them. Of course help will be provided. We are currently dealing with logistical issues, i.e. food, cleaning products and so on. (…) Water is already supplied. The protesters are in a safe place and there is no threat to them, he described.
The head of Solidarity announced a briefing at the mine at 2 p.m.
The PAP journalist failed to contact representatives of the Bumech Group, the owner of Silesia.
Przedsiębiorstwo Górnicze Silesia in Czechowice-Dziedzice is the largest private coal mine in Poland. Its share in the Polish market in 2022 was approximately 3%. in the production of thermal coal and 2.3 percent in total hard coal production. At the end of November, the manager of the Silesia sanation estate notified the local unions of its intention to make collective redundancies. They would apply to over 750 people working in Silesia.
On December 4, the Sejm adopted the government's draft amendment to the Act on the Operation of Stone Mining. Its aim is, among other things, to cover miners who leave their jobs with protective benefits. At the stage of parliamentary proceedings, the motion of opposition MPs submitted on the initiative of the PG Silesia unions to also cover this company with protective instruments was not passed. President Karol Nawrocki signed the amendment to the mining act on December 15. (PAP)
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