According to the spokesperson for small and medium-sized enterprises, Agnieszka, Majewska, the increase in the minimum wage, which is expected to be more than PLN 4,600 gross from 1 January 2025, will make it impossible for many small companies to afford to hire employees.

The increasing burden of ZUS, increased health care contributions, and higher energy costs make it increasingly difficult for small and micro-entrepreneurs to conduct business. Another increase in the minimum wage, which will exceed 4,600 PLN from January next year, will result in many small companies being unable to bear the costs and having to close or suspend their operations. It is worth remembering that there are two million such entrepreneurs in Poland, and neglecting this sector could significantly harm the state.

Changes to Support Micro and Small Entrepreneurs

An opportunity to improve the situation of entrepreneurs is the current government’s commitment to introducing regulations that will ease their burdens. Spokeswoman Majewska highlighted changes in health insurance contributions and the takeover by ZUS of the payment of sickness benefits from the first day of an employee’s absence as particularly important. Moreover, she expressed a desire to strengthen the legislative department of the SME Ombudsman’s Office. She emphasized that she would like the Office to participate more in the law-making process, cooperating with the government, and actively participating in parliamentary committee meetings to be close to the legislative process and have the greatest possible influence on the regulations being created.

Deregulation Act

Work on the act is being conducted by the Team for Deregulation and Economic Dialogue, managed by the deregulation plenipotentiary Dr. Mariusz Filipek. The SME Ombudsman emphasizes her support for the work on the act and appeals for the fastest possible proceedings regarding the draft act to implement it as quickly as possible. The assumptions of the act include, among other things, changing the definition of a craftsman and expanding the range of forms of conducting business to include capital companies.

The Ombudsman announced the creation of an advisory body composed of organizations sitting in the Social Dialogue Council. Such an initiative would allow them to collectively voice their opinions on legislative matters. According to spokeswoman Majewska, the SME Ombudsman should have a representative at the European Union. This is because solutions are being constructed in the EU that later influence the shape of regulations in Poland.

Competences of the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Ombudsman

Currently, the activities of the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Ombudsman are regulated by the Act of March 6, 2018, on the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Ombudsman. His competences are limited to acting in matters between an entrepreneur and an office, local government, or state institution. He does not have the authority to act in disputes between entrepreneurs.