Petru will work at Biedronka. He said what he would do with the payment
Ryszard Petru informed that only on Christmas Eve he would provide information on when Biedronka would start working. At the same time, he revealed what he intended to do with his remuneration.
Petru announced that on December 24, 2024, he will work at Biedronka located in the southern part of the left-bank Warsaw. He planned to reveal the exact address of the store the day before Christmas Eve.
Ryszard Petru in Biedronka. Where will he work, how much will he earn for working on Christmas Eve?
The politician signed a mandate contract for that day, with a remuneration of PLN 29 per hour. With the planned seven hours of work, this gives a total amount of PLN 203. However, the money will not go into his pocket.
– After completing the work, my equipment will go to the WOŚP auction – said the Polish 2050 politician. His work clothes, which he will use that day, will also go to the WOŚP auction.
During his shift, Petru planned to perform standard cashier duties, such as operating the cash register, stocking merchandise, supervising self-checkout registers, and cleaning the store after closing time. He emphasized that this is not an action aimed at gaining publicity, but a gesture intended to initiate a discussion about the value of each work.
Legislative context
The MP’s decision is related to the ongoing debate on making Christmas Eve a day off from work. In November 2024, the Sejm passed an amendment providing for the introduction of such a solution from 2025. The amendment also assumes that in December a trade employee will not be able to work more than two Sundays. The act is currently waiting for the president’s signature.
Petru, as an economist, expressed skepticism towards this idea, arguing that an additional day off could negatively impact the economy and limit Poles’ shopping opportunities before the holidays. In his opinion, introducing a day off on Christmas Eve may be burdensome for many people who are used to shopping on this day.
Reactions and controversies
Petru’s initiative was met with mixed reactions. Some commentators saw it as an attention-grabbing attempt, while others appreciated the gesture as a way to understand the realities of working in retail. Discount store workers expressed hope that the politician would understand the challenges of working in retail, especially during the holiday season.
Broader social context
The discussion about making Christmas Eve a day off from work has been going on in Poland for several years. Supporters of this solution argue that it would allow employees to calmly prepare for the holidays and spend more time with their families. Opponents, including some economists, fear a negative impact on the economy and logistical complications for businesses.
It is worth noting that currently Christmas Eve is not a public holiday in Poland, although many companies shorten working hours to allow employees to start celebrating earlier. The introduction of a day off on Christmas Eve from 2025 may affect work organization in many sectors, especially retail.
