On August 19, 2025, the Council of Ministers adopted a draft law streamlining and facilitating the conclusion of collective bargaining agreements. As announced, the new regulations are expected to enter into force this year.
It should be emphasized that trade unions and employers have been waiting for the changes provided for in the said draft law for years.
What is a collective agreement?
Collective bargaining agreements are nothing more than a form of agreement between employers and employees, represented by trade unions. Such agreements allow for the negotiation of better working conditions, such as additional vacation days or bonuses for employees at a given workplace. Therefore, they also provide employees with a means of achieving slightly higher standards than those required by the Labor Code.
What's changing? The most important assumptions of the project
The aim of the bill prepared by the Ministry is to simplify procedures
and increase the real impact of collective bargaining agreements in workplaces. Here are the most important changes in the bill:
- The possibility of using the assistance of a mediator at the negotiation stage is introduced;
- The duration of collective bargaining agreements is being made more flexible – negotiating parties will be able to choose a fixed-term agreement, with the option of extending its validity. It will also be possible to conclude an agreement for an indefinite period;
- A company or multi-company collective labour agreement may be concluded to determine matters not regulated by labour law in a mandatory manner.
New regulations and greater stability of the labor market
The Ministry makes no secret of the fact that the new regulations are intended to help stabilize the labor market, foster social dialogue, and build social cohesion. The Ministry points out that collective bargaining is an effective HR management tool worth supporting—not only as an element of labor policy, but also as an economic and social one.
Entry into force
The new regulations are to enter into force 14 days after their publication in the Journal of Laws. If the legislative process proceeds smoothly, collective agreements as set out in the draft law could enter into force this year.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
The law is current as of August 22, 2025.
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