Biznes Fakty
Restrictions in 800 plus. „We are starting the procedure”
The proposal regarding restrictions on foreigners’ access to the 800 plus program is finalized, stated Tomasz Siemoniak, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration, on Thursday. He noted that this would not be a „heartless initiative”.
– We are initiating the governmental process, and by April, the specifics will be available for review once they are published on the Government Legislation Center’s website – remarked Tomasz Siemoniak, the head of the Ministry of Interior and Administration, during a press briefing in Krakow when questioned about the progress on the modifications to 800 plus. He further mentioned that the proposal is complete.
– It was crafted in the Ministry of Interior and Administration in collaboration with ZUS – the minister indicated.
The concept is that benefits like 800 plus should be granted to foreigners only if they reside, work, and pay taxes in Poland.
New regulations for 800 plus payments to foreigners
According to him, the initiative aims to realize the overarching principle „to connect the disbursement of the 800 plus benefit with engagement in the Polish contribution and tax framework”. He emphasized that the document addresses various potentially sensitive circumstances, such as single parenthood and other unforeseen situations.
– This will not be a ruthless initiative; instead, it will ensure that 800 plus is allocated to those who contribute meaningfully to the organized functioning of Polish society – concluded the head of the Ministry of Interior and Administration.
He stressed that the new measures necessitate alterations to numerous existing laws. – This is a directive from the Prime Minister, ensuring that the project is completed by April, and we will fulfill this mission – Siemoniak indicated.
Tomasz Siemoniak PAP/Łukasz GągulskiA request to the government and concerns from the Foundation
In mid-January, KO presidential candidate Rafał Trzaskowski urged the government to amend the law so that benefits like 800 plus would be accessible to Ukrainians, given that they live, work, and pay taxes in Poland.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk conveyed that the suggestion to limit 800 plus payments to migrants – including Ukrainians – who satisfy these conditions will be promptly reviewed by the government. Meanwhile, Jan Grabiec, the head of the Prime Minister’s Chancellery, reported that the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration is actively developing the project. There is also a parliamentary proposal for amendment regarding this issue currently in the Sejm.
The Ukrainian Home Foundation in Warsaw, in a position paper published at the end of January, expressed significant concern regarding the attempts to politicize the challenges faced by Ukrainian refugees.
