Jeronimo Martins Polska labor market cartel investigation

The Polish Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has imposed fines totaling over 570 million PLN following an investigation into a labor market cartel. Jeronimo Martins Polska, the owner of the Biedronka supermarket chain, was identified as the organizer and coordinator of the scheme, receiving a fine of approximately 525 million PLN.

The illegal agreement, which reportedly operated from June 2017 until February 2024, involved 29 transport companies and eight individuals. The cartel aimed to restrict competition for truck drivers serving Biedronka distribution centers. Under this arrangement, drivers seeking to change employers were required to obtain consent from their previous employers; those denied consent faced a “blockade” or mandatory waiting period of several months that prevented them from working at specific distribution centers for competing firms.

UOKiK stated that these practices artificially suppressed wage growth and limited worker mobility. While the European Commission reviewed the case and concluded the conduct breached EU competition rules, Jeronimo Martins Polska has expressed concern regarding the decision and intends to appeal the ruling in court, maintaining that the company did not engage in illegal practices.