Poland proposes legislation to end unpaid internships

The Polish Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, led by Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, has introduced a legislative project aimed at eliminating unpaid internships in the open labor market. The proposal, entered into the Council of Ministers' legislative schedule on September 16, 2025, seeks to prevent employers from using internships as a means to reduce labor costs by having students and graduates perform duties similar to full-time employees without compensation.

In a related discussion regarding vocational training, entrepreneur Janusz Lewandowski noted a growing gap between educational programs and industry needs. He highlighted that while students are being trained on modern CNC machinery, they often lack fundamental skills such as reading technical drawings or using measurement tools. Lewandowski also pointed out that the high level of commitment and specific pedagogical qualifications required for employers to train young workers are making businesses increasingly hesitant to take on apprentices.