Are you a foreign worker in Poland who believes your employer or staffing agency is violating your rights? The National Labour Inspectorate (Państwowa Inspekcja Pracy, PIP) is a free, state-run body that exists to protect you.
What is PIP?
PIP oversees compliance with Polish labour law. Inspectors have the authority to:
- conduct unannounced workplace inspections,
- order payment of outstanding wages,
- impose fines on employers,
- require improvements to health and safety conditions.
Your complaint is confidential — your employer will not know it was you who filed it.
What Violations Can You Report?
- Unpaid or underpaid wages
- Working without a contract or with a contract that differs from what was agreed
- Failure to pay ZUS social insurance contributions
- Illegal working hours or lack of required breaks
- No mandatory BHP (health & safety) training
- Discrimination based on nationality
- Substandard employer-provided accommodation
How to File a Complaint
Step 1 – Gather evidence. Keep your contract, pay slips, text messages, emails, and photos of working or living conditions.
Step 2 – Find your regional Labour Inspectorate (OIP). PIP has 16 regional offices — one in each voivodeship. Find addresses at pip.gov.pl → Contacts.
Step 3 – Submit your complaint. Options:
- Online form at pip.gov.pl → "Złóż skargę" (File a complaint), available 24/7
- By post to the appropriate OIP
- In person at the inspectorate office
- By phone for urgent matters
Step 4 – Await a written response. PIP is legally required to respond. If an inspection is conducted, you will be informed of the outcome.
Protection Against Dismissal
Polish law protects workers from retaliation for filing a complaint with PIP. If your employer dismisses you or takes other punitive action as a result, you have the right to challenge the dismissal in a labour court and claim compensation.
Where to Get Help
- Nexflow: contact your coordinator — we are on your side.
- SIP (Association for Legal Intervention): free legal assistance for foreigners in Poland (interwencjaprawna.pl).
- RPO (Ombudsman): rpo.gov.pl — handles discrimination cases.
- pip.gov.pl: submit your complaint online, 24/7.
Your nationality does not reduce your rights. Polish labour law applies equally to all workers, regardless of where they come from.