Pavel Latushka, Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, Head of the National Anti-Crisis Management
Pavel Latushka met today with Sebastian Gajewski, Deputy Minister of Family, Labor and Social Policy of Poland, to address the pressing issue of pension payments for Belarusians who have international protection status in Poland.
With over 310,000 Belarusians residing in Poland – the second largest foreign national group – ensuring access to pensions for those eligible is crucial. Many of these individuals, unable to safely return home, face significant hurdles in accessing their rightful pensions. While Polish law allows for pension calculations based on local work history, navigating the system presents numerous obstacles.
During the meeting, Mr. Latushka presented key challenges encountered by Belarusian pensioners in Poland. The challenges had been analyzed by representatives of the United Transitional Cabinet and the National Anti-Crisis Management team.
Deputy Minister Gajewski expressed his willingness to thoroughly analyze these issues and collaborate on solutions. The following agreements during the meeting were reached:
During the meeting, the following agreements between the parties were reached:
The Ministry expressed its readiness to consider all individual cases of Belarusians experiencing difficulties receiving pensions in Poland;
The Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy of Poland will provide a detailed response addressing problematic issues related to pension provisions for Belarusians in Poland;
The Department of Social Payments of the Ministry will prepare a "road map" of social assistance, which the National Anti-Crisis Management will disseminate through social networks to inform Belarusian citizens living in Poland about available opportunities for receiving social payments.
What solutions are possible for those Belarusians who cannot receive pensions in Poland?
One possible solution is to access social payments, which are available through local administrations at the place of residence. However, these payments have eligibility conditions and are not guaranteed.
If one has the opportunity to find employment in Poland, even for a short period (e.g., one day or one month), they will accrue pension rights based on their length of service in Poland. Additionally, one will become eligible to receive the 13th and 14th pensions (each amounting to PLN 1,780.96 before taxes) from the Polish Social Insurance Administration (ZUS).
To effectively address pension-related challenges faced by Belarusians in Poland, an agreement was reached during the meeting to provide the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy of Poland with specific cases that illustrate problematic situations with pension payments to Belarusians in Poland.
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