Suspected collusion over employees from Bolesławiec County. UOKiK investigates Bader, Hoerbiger, Toyota Boshoku and Gerresheimer

Searches at companies in the region

As reported by UOKiK, with court approval and police assistance, searches were conducted at the premises of five companies operating in Bolesławiec County and Wrocław. The companies are Toyota Boshoku Poland, Toyota Boshoku Europe, Bader Polska, Gerresheimer Bolesławiec and Hoerbiger Automotive.

The Office stresses that an explanatory investigation is currently being conducted, rather than proceedings against specific companies. Its purpose is to gather evidence and determine whether competition-protection regulations have been breached.

Suspicions concern the labour market

According to UOKiK, businesses operating in the local market often compete for the same employees, even when they operate in different industries. The Office is checking whether there may have been prohibited arrangements concerning the level of remuneration, non-wage benefits and the mutual non-hiring of employees from competing companies.

UOKiK President Tomasz Chróstny says that practices of this kind may limit employees’ ability to change jobs and weaken competition in the labour market.

High fines may be imposed

If the gathered materials confirm the suspicions, UOKiK may initiate antitrust proceedings and bring charges against specific entities. Entrepreneurs participating in an agreement restricting competition may face a financial penalty of up to 10 percent of their annual turnover. Managers responsible for making prohibited arrangements may, in turn, face fines of up to PLN 2 million.

Another case concerning “employee collusion”

For several years, UOKiK has been conducting actions related to so-called collusion in the labour market. Previously, the Office examined, among other things, cases concerning the transport industry and large retail chains. In the officials’ view, agreements restricting competition for employees may lead to lower wages and worse employment conditions.

At this stage, the Office is not determining any company’s guilt. The results of the explanatory investigation are intended to show whether there are grounds for bringing formal charges.