Miners will not lose out on blood donation. Days off considered “underground work”

Days off from work in connection with voluntary blood donation will be included in the periods of mining work performed underground, permanently and full-time, which entitle to early retirement – assumes the act signed on Wednesday by the President of the Republic of Poland, Karol Nawrocki.

President Karol Nawrocki signed the amendment to the Act on pensions and annuities from the Social Insurance Fund of February 13, 2026, the president's office announced on Wednesday.

Its purpose is to enable miners including days off from work in connection with voluntary blood donation into periods of mining work performed underground, permanently and on a full-time basisentitling to obtain a miners' pension regardless of age. Currently, these days, even though they are considered periods of employment, are not included in the length of mining service entitling to early retirement.

This is a pension available only under the terms of 25 years of service. Not only the period of full-time permanent employment is included in underground work, but only the actual work that is performed underground. This work is counted in meeting days. You need to have 21 such days in a month to consider that a given month has been worked continuously and full-time underground.

The amendment will enter into force 14 days after its announcement. (PAP)

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