The head of ZUS warns on 800 plus for Ukrainians. “Very serious effects”

On Tuesday, the Council of Ministers adopted a bill regarding temporary protection for Ukrainians staying in our country. The new regulations assume that the right to benefits for foreigners (including 800 plus and 300 plus) will be related to parents’ professional activity. Parents of children with disabilities are to be treated exceptionally.

On Wednesday, the Sejm talked against the conclusion of rejection in the first reading of the project and it was directed to further work in the committee.

ZUS head critically about changes

The president of the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) was critical of the project. In an interview with WNP.pl, Zbigniew Derdziuk emphasized that changes can negatively affect both the economy and demographics.

– ZUS does not comment on political decisions, but it is our duty to prepare for the effects. And they can be very serious – says Derdziuk.

The biggest risk is the issue of Ukrainians’ stay in Poland. Under the special law, introduced after the outbreak of the war in 2022, their legal status was regulated until September 30 this year. The government has prepared a bill in this matter, its fate will be decided by President Karol Nawrocki, who vetoed the law in the previous version.

The head of ZUS emphasizes that the lack of extension of residence regulations may result in a drainage of up to a million employees, which would be a blow to the economy and the social security system.

– We have over 1.2 million foreigners registered in ZUS, of which two -thirds are Ukrainian citizens. It is over 800 thousand people who work legally pay taxes and contributions. They bring about PLN 12 billion a year to the system – emphasizes Derdziuk.

The President of ZUS believes that the discussion about 800 plus and the status of foreigners should not be conducted only in political logic.

– We have in Poland one of the lowest fertility rates in Europe, 1.1 child per woman. Every young person who grows up in Poland is a potential future citizen. We should look at it in a long horizon, and not only through the prism of current disputes – believes Derdziuk.

According to the SW Research survey published a week ago, “Wprost” shows that 56.4 percent respondents believe that 800 plus should only be entitled to children whose parents take up work in Poland. 18 percent It is in favor of maintaining the current rules, as a result of which Ukrainians should receive benefits on the same terms as Poles. Slightly more, because 19.6 percent Respondents, however, believes that our neighbors should not receive 800 plus at all, regardless of whether they take a job in our country. 6 percent respondents have no opinion on this matter.