Polish Sejm rejects unconditional basic income pilot proposal

The Sejm Commission for Petitions has unanimously rejected a proposal to launch a pilot program for unconditional basic income (UBI) in the Silesia region. The petition sought to implement a 20-year pilot where residents from age three would receive approximately 2,403 PLN monthly, regardless of income or employment status.

The proposed UBI was intended to replace several existing social welfare programs, including the ‘800 plus’ child benefit, unemployment benefits, and various social assistance payments. Proponents suggested that Silesia, a region undergoing significant economic transformation, would serve as an ideal location to study the impact of such a system on the labor market and local economy.

The Ministry of Finance opposed the initiative, citing prohibitive costs. Calculations indicated that providing even 1,300 PLN monthly to every adult would cost approximately 40 billion PLN per month, totaling nearly 480 billion PLN annually. The government has confirmed it has no plans to implement a basic income system.