Polish miners protest over wages and mine liquidations

Coal mining workers in Poland are intensifying protests against major mining companies regarding labor practices and mine liquidation processes. Members of the 'Sierpień 80' union held a picket at the headquarters of Jastrzębska Spółka Węglowa (JSW) in Jastrzębie-Zdrój to submit a petition addressing financial transparency and personnel policies. The protesters raised concerns regarding wage disparities and the use of external companies that employ Ukrainian workers to perform tasks for JSW.

Simultaneously, workers at the Wujek mine, owned by Polska Grupa Górnicza (PGG), have initiated an underground protest. Approximately 90 percent of the workforce has requested that PGG halt organizational changes related to the liquidation of the Wujek and Bielszowice mines. Union leadership argues that the liquidation should be carried out by PGG's own staff rather than through expensive external contractors, claiming that using internal resources would be more cost-effective for the state budget. Some miners have announced they will refuse to return to the surface following their shifts to signal their opposition.