POLAND

• Legal framework: 

– The constitution of the republic of Poland
https://www.sejm.gov.pl/prawo/konst/francuski/kon1.htm

• Article 12

The Republic of Poland shall guarantee the freedom to form trade unions, farmers’ socio-professional organizations, associations, civic movements and other groupings and foundations based on free participation; it shall guarantee the freedom of their activities.

• Article 57

Everyone is guaranteed the freedom to organize and participate in peaceful assemblies. This freedom may be restricted by law.

• Article 58

1. Everyone is guaranteed freedom of association.
2. Associations whose purpose or activities are contrary to the Constitution or the law shall be prohibited. The court shall rule on the refusal to register or the prohibition of the activities of such an association.
3. The law determines the types of associations subject to registration with a court, the registration procedure and the forms of supervision of associations.

        –      Article 59

1. Everyone is guaranteed the freedom to join trade unions, farmers’ socio-professional organisations and employers’ associations.
2. Trade unions as well as employers and their associations have the right to negotiate, in particular to settle collective disputes and to conclude collective labour agreements and other agreements.
3. Trade unions shall have the right to organise strikes and other forms of protest within the limits laid down by law. The law may limit the right to strike or prohibit strikes by certain categories of workers or in certain sectors in the public interest.
4. The freedom to join trade unions and employers’ associations and other trade union freedoms may not be subject to restrictions other than those provided for by law and permissible under treaties binding on the Republic of Poland.

• Legislative framework: 

LAW OF 7 APRIL 1989 ON THE LAW OF ASSOCIATIONS, amended by the LAW OF 23 FEBRUARY 1990.

In 2004, almost 45,900 associations and 7,200 foundations were registered (compared with 36,500 associations and 5,000 foundations in 2002).

35% of NGOs employ salaried staff (approximately 64,000 people).

Almost 45% of NGOs work with volunteers who are not at the same time members of the association (i.e. around 1 million people).

91% of NGOs were set up after 1989 30% are no more than 3 years old and can be described as a “young third sector”.

 40% of registered NGOs are located in major cities. 

Their main areas of activity are – sport and leisure (38.6%) – education (10.3%) – health protection (8.2%) – regional and local development (6.5%)

 – support for other NGOs and civic initiative(1.4%)

The budget of 50% of them did not exceed 3095 euros in 2003.

– Volunteering has increased. In 2004, 5.4 million Poles were involved in voluntary work, representing 18.3% 4 of the population, an increase of 8.3% on 2001.