Participation in the works carried out by the Social Dialogue Council which brings together the representatives of trade unions, employers’ associations and the government side is a great honour and a great challenge. My goal is to ensure that the Council becomes the most important forum for consulting key solutions for the Polish economy and labour market. I also believe that the activity of the Council may serve as an example of how to carry out a constructive dialogue in our divided society – stresses the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Economic Development, Labour and Technology Jarosław Gowin.

Olga Semeniuk, the deputy head of MEDLT who will be responsible for social dialogue in the SDC, points out: - Considering the particularly difficult situation faced by Polish society and economy due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the ability to engage in a dialogue, cooperation and teamwork for the benefit of the country seem even more so important and desired.

What is the Social Dialogue Council?

Social Dialogue Council is the most important national forum for cooperation between the government, trade unions and employers’ associations. It includes the representatives of the key trade unions, employees’ associations and the government. The Members of the Council are appointed by the President of the Republic of Poland.

The representatives of the government in the Social Dialogue Council include: 

• Jarosław Gowin - Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economic Development, Labour and Technology – chairman of the Social Dialogue Council,
• Jacek Sasin - Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of State Assets,
• Marlena Maląg - Minister of Family and Social Policy,
• Andrzej Adamczyk - Minister of Infrastructure,
• Mariusz Kamiński - Minister of Interior and Administration,
• Adam Niedzielski - Minister of Health,
• Przemysław Czarnek - Minister of Science and Higher Education,
• Tadeusz Kościński - Minister of Finance, Development Funds and Regional Policy,
• Michał Kurtyka - Minister of Climate and Environment.

and 

•  Olga Semeniuk - Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Economic Development, Labour and Technology responsible for social dialogue
•  Sebastian Skuza - Secretary of State at the Ministry of Finance responsible for budget.

Union organisations represented in the Social Dialogue Council:

•  All Poland Trade Union Alliance
•  Trade Unions Forum
•  NSZZ “Solidarność” [Independent and Self-Governing Trade Union “Solidarity”]

Represented employers’ associations:

•  Employers of Poland,
•  Polish Confederation Lewiatan,
•  Polish Craft Association,
•  Business Centre Club Employers' Organisation,
•  Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers.

As advisors, the representatives of:

• President of the Republic of Poland,
• President of the National Bank of Poland,
• President of the Central Statistical Office,
• Chief Labour Inspector, 

The origin and objectives of the SDC 

The SDC was established by the President of the Republic of Poland on 22 October 2015 based on the Act of 25 July 2015 on Social Dialogue Council and other social dialogue institutions. 

The main goal of the Social Dialogue Council is to conduct social dialogue in order to maintain the conditions for adequate social and economic growth and to increase the competitiveness and social cohesion of the Polish economy.   

The role of the council is also to practically implement the principles of participation and social solidarity in employment relations. The Council also supports defining and implementing socio-economic policies and strategies. Its role is also to build social understanding through the introduction of a transparent, substantive and regular dialogue between the employees’ and employers’ organisations and the government