Poland’s Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) has issued an urgent notice that offices across the country will stage a two-hour warning strike on Wednesday, 17 June (08:00–10:00). Front-line staff are protesting stalled pay talks and outdated working conditions. While online services will remain live, in-person counters—crucial for certifying posted-worker A1 forms and exporting maternity or sickness benefits—are expected to operate at minimal capacity. For HR and mobility teams, the timing matters. A1 certificates confirm continued Polish social-security coverage for employees temporarily assigned within the EU and must often be stamped on paper where electronic validation is not accepted by host authorities. Applications filed on strike morning could be delayed by 24 hours or more, potentially impacting travel schedules for technicians and project managers due to depart later in the week. ZUS management is encouraging clients to rebook visits after 10:00 or use the PUE ZUS e-platform, but unions warn that follow-up industrial action is possible if negotiations do not progress. A broader work-to-rule could slow the issuance of pension clearances and health-insurance confirmations required by some residence-permit offices. Corporate employers should therefore audit pending A1 and U1 requests, advise travellers to carry digital copies of existing certificates and, where feasible, lodge urgent applications through the e-portal today. Companies with high volumes of postings—construction, IT installation and automotive maintenance—may also consider staggering departure dates or sourcing temporary coverage in host states until paperwork is approved. The dispute highlights an often-overlooked mobility risk: administrative disruption in back-office government agencies. ZUS’s notice is a reminder to build contingency time into compliance calendars, maintain duplicate e-records and monitor union announcements that could turn a minor stoppage into a major cross-border headache.
Source: RMF FM
