Ukraine Workers in Poland to See Wage Changes Under New EU Equal Pay Rules

Poland has begun implementing the EU Pay Transparency Directive, a reform that will reshape wage structures for hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian workers legally employed in the country. The directive mandates equal pay for work of equal value, requiring employers to disclose salary ranges and justify pay differences.

The changes, transposed into Polish law, grant Ukrainian nationals the right to earn wages comparable to their Polish counterparts provided they possess equivalent qualifications and experience. Previously, disparities in contract types and opaque pay scales often left migrant workers at a disadvantage.

Employers must now publish salary bands in job advertisements and provide employees with access to pay criteria. Non-compliance risks fines and legal challenges. The reform also strengthens collective bargaining and introduces reporting obligations for companies with over 100 staff.

Labor advocates say the measure could reduce wage discrimination in sectors heavily reliant on Ukrainian labor, such as construction, logistics, and healthcare. The Polish government estimates the directive affects over 300,000 Ukrainian citizens holding valid work permits or residence cards.