The Group of Citizens' Coalition Members has tabled a proposal to let city guards to quit early. However, the thought was met with the skeptical position of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy. This dispute affects not only pension issues, but besides the function of city guards in the public safety system.
Civic Coalition Proposal: Bridge pensions for city guards
Members of the KOs sent an interpelling to the Ministry of Labour, in which they asked for the anticipation of introducing rules enabling city guards to quit early. In the explanatory memorandum, they stressed that the work of guards is of a peculiar nature, frequently akin to that of the police, and is an crucial part of public security.
"I ask that action be taken to reduce the retirement age limit for city guards, given the uniqueness of this service, which is frequently close to the work of the Police, which is an crucial part of public security", wrote Members. They besides added that the work of city guards meets the conditions for their inclusion in the rules on bridge pensions.
What are bridge pensions?
A bridge pension is an interim benefit that is due until the universal retirement age is reached. It may be applied for by workers working under circumstantial conditions or of a circumstantial nature, who, with age, importantly reduce their ability to carry out their professional duties due to declining psychophysical performance.
The legal basis for bridge pensions is the amended Act signed by president Andrzej Duda in August 2023. According to the data from April 2023, 40,8 1000 people received a bridge pension, and expenditure on this intent in 2022 amounted to about PLN 1.8 billion.
Position of the Ministry: No approval for changes
The Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy does not support the thought of KO MPs. In consequence to the interpelling, Deputy Minister Sebastian Gajewski stated that the ministry is not presently planning to take action to include the work of city guards in a list of work of a peculiar character.
"In the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, no action is presently being taken to include works carried out by municipal (urban) guards in a list of works of a peculiar character," Gajewski wrote.
Why is this subject important?
The proposal from the KO Members raises a major problem of protecting the wellness and safety of professionals who have a peculiar psychophysical resilience. The site’s guards are frequently exposed to stress, conflicts, and dangerous situations, which may affect their ability to do work at a later age.
At the same time, the government fears an increase in expenditure on bridge pensions, which is already a crucial burden on the state budget. In 2022 PLN 1.8 billion was allocated for this purpose, and the number of beneficiaries is constantly increasing.
Summary: A dispute over the future of city guards
The Citizen Coalition's proposal for early retirement for city guards sparked a discussion on the function of this professional group in the public safety system. Although Members emphasise the exceptional nature of their work, the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy is not presently seeing the anticipation of making changes.
Do local guards deserve bridge pensions? This question remains open and the decision on this substance will substance not only to the workers themselves, but besides to the state budget and the pension system.
More here:
A group of Members of the KO wants the guards to be able to quit early
