Act on the further sponsorship of sly Ukrainians adopted by the anti-Polish Sejm

The Sejm adopted an amendment to the Act on Unwarranted Assistance for Ukrainian Sages. The fresh regulations, submitted by parliamentary clubs of the Civic Platform (KO) and Poland 2050-TD, provide, among others, for an extension of the legality of residence for Ukrainians residing in Poland.

The majority, due to the fact that 381 MPs, advocated the amendment, while 19 were opposed – including 14 from the Confederation and 5 from the Law and Justice organization (PiS). Additionally, 20 Members, all from the PiS, abstained.

Earlier, during the second reading, Members supported the amendments tabled by the KO and Poland 2050-TD clubs, which were recommended for adoption by the Sejm Committee on Administration and Home Affairs.

It is worth noting that, as recommended by the committee, Members rejected respective amendments tabled by the Confederation, including the 1 which assumed that no social benefits were granted to Ukrainian men of conscript age.

– How is it that we support Ukraine in the war with Polish taxpayers' money, and that men of draft age from Ukraine sit in Poland and inactive collect social benefits, again financed from hard-earned taxpayers' money? Is that why we're going to send our soldiers back to their place any minute? due to the fact that that's where it's going. Our amendment eliminates this absurdity, but you reject it – said Konrad Berkovich of the Confederacy in the Sejm.

Amendments which have been approved mention to an extension of the period of 4 months during which applications for a conditional right to prosecute the profession of doctor, dentist, caregiver and midwife may be submitted. In addition, they include the rule of designation of certificates of nationals of a State who have concluded an global agreement on the common designation of these documents.

During the committee meeting, Joanna Mucha, Deputy Minister of Education, pointed out that the amendment was linked to a fresh decision by Belarus to halt issuing their abroad nationals papers confirming their formal qualifications. This prevents these people from studying in Poland. She stressed that this problem concerns about 5 1000 Belarusian citizens, but may besides affect citizens of another countries.

The Legislative Office of the Sejm and Members of the Law and Justice expressed their doubts about the amendment, noting that it could go beyond the proposed amendments.

New version of the Citizens' Support Act Ukraine in the context of armed conflict in their territory includes, among others, the extension of the legality of the stay for Ukrainians until 30 September 2025, who received the PESEL UKR number. In addition, from next year it will be associated with the payment of, among others, benefits of 800 plus, subject to compliance with the school work by Ukrainian children.

The amendment besides extends access to healthcare, household and social benefits, and benefits paid by the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS). It besides allows you to proceed your stay in collective accommodation centres.

The fresh law besides defines a maximum 36-month period in which students can participate in free Polish classes. This applies to students who began attending these classes in 2022/2023 and 2023/2024.

The Act besides introduces fresh rules to confirm the identity of a Ukrainian citizen seeking the issue of PESEL. A valid travel paper will be recognised as the only way to confirm the identity.

Furthermore, as of 1 July financial support for refugees from Ukraine in the form of accommodation and meals in peculiarly hard circumstances will be possible only on the basis of a contract signed with the voivode or a local government body acting on the command of the voivode. The principles of participation in the cost of surviving and catering in collective accommodation centres will besides be changed to make the process of collecting payments more effective than at present.

The Act besides provides for the cancellation of benefits related to compensation for the costs of surviving and feeding to war refugees, which are borne by private property owners. As of 1 July, financial support related to photograph production and a one-time cash benefit of PLN 300 will besides be completed.

Except for any provisions, the bill is to enter into force on 1 July. It will now be transferred to the Senate.