Zakłady Ceramiczne „Bolesławiec” is one of Poland’s best-known ceramic brands and an important regional employer, employing more than 400 people. Yet for months, negotiations on a new remuneration regulation have failed to reach a conclusion.

– We have been without remuneration regulations for over a year now – explains the chairwoman of the employees’ union Agata Rusiecka. – This is not dialogue, but merely creating the appearance of talks. We are convinced that management’s goal is to remove active union representatives from the workplace because they represent the staff’s interests by informing them about their employee rights, helping them write applications to the employer, representing them in court, and even organizing elections for the Social Labor Inspectorate. This gets in the way of management’s “maximizing profits” at the expense of employees and keeping workers unaware of their rights under workplace and statutory labor law – Rusiecka adds.

MP Sikora’s intervention. The history of the case

Arkadiusz Sikora’s parliamentary intervention addressed to the Ministry of State Assets concerned the escalating labor conflict at Zakłady Ceramiczne „Bolesławiec”. The MP described the growing labor conflict, basing his account on his own meetings with employees, union members and a management representative. He wrote about the deteriorating workplace atmosphere, disputes over pay, dismissals of employees covered by union protection, restrictions on social dialogue, and lawsuits brought against employees for publicly criticizing management.

The Ministry did not answer the questions asked, shifting the subject from wages and employee rights to the company’s financial results.

“Stable financial situation” as the answer to everything

Konrad Gołota, Undersecretary of State, emphasized in the reply that the company’s financial situation is stable and shows an upward trend in 2026. He explained that the Ministry had not identified a systemic conflict and that the current labor disputes were individual in nature and were being resolved through the courts. According to the Ministry, the company’s management declares that it conducts active social dialogue and negotiates with union representatives on a new remuneration regulation.

MP’s accusation: “As the owner, we cannot tolerate this”

MP Sikora asked about oversight of compliance with employee rights at the state-owned company. He was told in response that the letter had been prepared “on the basis of information provided by the Company.” The Ministry therefore describes the situation as management sees it—the owner’s assessment is based on material supplied by the party being assessed. This mechanism is not necessarily flawed in itself, but in a collective dispute it means that the staff’s voice does not, in practice, reach the owner.

– The situation at Zakłady Ceramiczne „Bolesławiec” is still far from my expectations. There are still no remuneration regulations at the plant, and relations between management and the trade unions are poor. As the owner, we cannot tolerate this – comments Left-wing MP Arkadiusz Sikora.

Employees need clear remuneration rules—and there are none.

– The new remuneration conditions must treat all employees equally, regardless of whether they worked on a piece-rate or hourly basis – says Agata Rusiecka. – Pay rules should be transparent, understandable to an ordinary employee, objective and based on measurable criteria, appropriate to the work performed, qualifications and degree of difficulty. The system should encourage better performance and skills development. Work based on a hidden piece-rate system, without work standards, causes enormous employee turnover and leads to internal conflicts over work assignments, stress, and the undervaluing of individual employees’ professional capabilities – adds the head of the Zakłady Ceramiczne “Bolesławiec” employees’ union.

MP Arkadiusz Sikora’s interpellation:

Dear Minister,

In connection with the growing social conflict at Zakłady Ceramiczne „Bolesławiec” sp. z o.o., I kindly ask you to monitor the situation of the plant’s employees and take steps to ensure compliance with employee rights and social-dialogue standards.

As a member of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, I have met repeatedly with employees of Zakłady Ceramiczne „Bolesławiec”, representatives of trade-union organizations, and a representative of the company’s management. These discussions followed numerous reports from employees concerning the deteriorating workplace atmosphere, disputes over the remuneration system, dismissals of employees covered by union protection, and restrictions on social dialogue.

Zakłady Ceramiczne „Bolesławiec” is a symbol of the region and a brand recognized worldwide. It is therefore particularly troubling that a company of such importance to the local economy and the traditions of Lower Silesia has become the site of a deep labor conflict.

The final and unfavorable court rulings against the company are especially concerning. In hearing a case concerning the remuneration system, the Jelenia Góra Regional Court indicated that the applicable remuneration regulations and piece-rate-and-bonus system were structured in an opaque manner, making it difficult for employees to verify whether their pay had been calculated correctly. This is an extremely serious issue from the perspective of protecting employee rights and ensuring transparency in the employment relationship—especially since this is a State Treasury company.

The judgments concerning the dismissal of union representatives covered by legal protection are equally troubling. The Bolesławiec District Court reinstated one of the union representatives, finding that the reasons for dismissal cited by the employer were untrue. The employee was also awarded compensation and back pay, generating additional costs for the company and deepening the atmosphere of conflict. The information reaching me indicates that this is not the only case the company has lost against its employees, which further affects the company’s already less-than-satisfactory financial condition.

My parliamentary office also received information about lawsuits brought against employees for publicly criticizing management’s actions, as well as employees’ concerns about their ability to express opinions freely regarding working conditions. Such actions give rise to legitimate concerns about the state of social dialogue and compliance with constitutionally protected employee rights.

An important element of the entire matter is the inspections carried out by the National Labour Inspectorate. According to information made available to the public, NLI inspections revealed irregularities concerning, among other things, work organization, employee documentation and relations with trade unions. In my view, the situation requires continued oversight by the relevant state institutions to guarantee full compliance with labor law and protect employees from possible retaliatory actions, reports of which are already reaching me from union representatives.

As a Left parliamentarian, I believe that the development of a company must never come at the expense of employees’ dignity and safety. Social dialogue, respect for trade-union organizations, transparent remuneration rules and stable employment conditions should be the foundation of every modern workplace.

Therefore, concerned about the company’s financial situation and management’s relations with employees, I request the following information:
Did the Ministry of State Assets receive reports confirming difficult relations between employees and management at Zakłady Ceramiczne „Bolesławiec”?

How do court rulings issued against Zakłady Ceramiczne „Bolesławiec” in cases brought by the current management against employees affect the company’s financial condition?

When will the company’s management adopt the remuneration regulations required by law?
How do relations between management and employees affect the company’s financial condition and operations?
I am convinced that only calm dialogue and respect for employee rights can lead to the restoration of trust and stabilization at a company that for decades has been a source of pride for Lower Silesia and an important part of Poland’s industrial heritage.

Yours sincerely,
Arkadiusz Sikora
Member of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland

Text of the Ministry’s reply:

In response to Interpellation No. K10INT17497 from Mr. Arkadiusz Sikora, Member of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, dated June 15, 2026, concerning Zakłady Ceramiczne „BOLESŁAWIEC” sp. z o.o., headquartered in Bolesławiec (hereinafter: the Company), prepared on the basis of information provided by the Company, I would like to inform you as follows.

The Ministry of State Assets received correspondence concerning the situation at the Company, including matters relating to relations between some employees and the Company’s Management Board. At the same time, it should be noted that receiving such correspondence does not in itself confirm the circumstances presented in it or constitute grounds for determining that a lasting or systemic conflict exists at the Company. Each report received is analyzed in light of the positions of all interested parties and information provided by the Company’s bodies. Information provided by the Company indicates that it employs more than 400 people, has two trade-union organizations, and that the labor disputes currently under way concern two employees. The Company also stated that it maintains dialogue with trade-union organizations and takes steps to maintain proper relations with the social side.

The Ministry of State Assets expects companies with State Treasury participation to conduct social dialogue in compliance with applicable laws and principles of cooperation. Individual labor disputes, meanwhile, remain subject to proceedings conducted by the competent authorities, particularly labor courts.

The ongoing proceedings are cases brought against the Company by current or former employees. No final judgment has been issued in either of the two court cases currently pending. Regarding public criticism of the current Management Board’s actions, one case was heard by the court concerning a former employee’s comment published on social media questioning the competence of the Management Board President. The proceedings ended in a court settlement dated May 20, 2026, under which the former employee undertook to publish an apology and withdraw public statements that could suggest that the President lacked the competence to manage the Company. At the same time, it should be emphasized that the mere fact that an unfavorable court ruling may be issued does not determine that it will have a significant impact on the company’s financial situation. Assessing such an impact requires an analysis of the value of the awarded benefits, the nature of the ruling and the Company’s economic situation. The Company’s current financial condition remains stable. Financial data for 2026 indicate improved economic results, a positive net result and increased operational efficiency.
The draft new Remuneration Regulations is currently under negotiation with the trade unions operating at the Company. Since an agreement with the social side must be reached, it is not possible to specify an exact date for completion of this work.

The Company’s Management Board declares its willingness to develop solutions compliant with applicable law and taking into account the interests of both employees and the Company.

The Company’s Management Board is taking steps to maintain social dialogue and ensure proper communication with the employees’ side. Despite individual labor disputes, the Company’s economic situation remains stable.

Yours faithfully,

On behalf of the Minister of State Assets Konrad Gołota Undersecretary of State