The ongoing discussions between the government and disability advocates continued as PiS spokesperson Rafał Bochenek addressed the group gathered in the Sejm corridors. He acknowledged the tough position many families face and stressed that dialogue remains open, a point he reiterated while extending Women’s Day wishes to the mothers of those with disabilities. The sentiment reflected a pledge to keep channels of communication active, a stance Bochenek linked to past engagement, noting that in 2018 PiS politicians spoke with carers during a lengthy Sejm protest that lasted forty days.
Bochenek offered seasonable good wishes for Women’s Day, conveying hope for strength, health, and resilience to those caring for recipients of disability services. His remarks came as the protestors, many mothers, continued to press for changes in pensions and social support systems.
During the proceedings, Bochenek reiterated the government’s willingness to engage in dialogue with the carers and emphasized that openness to discussion has persisted since the earliest protests. He recalled that, historically, discussions with carers began during the 2018 Sejm sit-in, underscoring a consistent pattern of government dialogue on the issues facing people with disabilities.
In a separate exchange, Iwona Hartwich, a member of the KO party known for leading disability protests, stated that she would only accept flowers from Bochenek if they symbolized a higher pension for seriously ill protesting children. At issue was the current level of disability allowances, with a recent figure cited as 1,217 PLN per month per recipient. Hartwich urged the Sejm to pass a civil bill on social pensions during the ongoing session, arguing for a pension benchmark aligned with the lowest national salary of 3,490 PLN per month. The protest participants emphasized the desire for a social pension that better reflects the cost of living for adults with disabilities and their carers.
On Monday, a coalition of adults with disabilities and their carers resumed demonstrations in the Sejm. Hartwich publicly introduced a civil bill advocating a social pension at the minimum wage level, framing it as a key demand for this week’s parliamentary proceedings. The proposal seeks to guarantee a social pension set at the country’s lowest national salary, presently 3,490 PLN, which would raise the current pension of 1,217 PLN per month for most adults with disabilities.
Hartwich announced on Tuesday that the civil bill on social pensions had been submitted just before the day’s debate commenced and urged the Marshal of the Sejm to include it in the agenda for the current session. The Marshal, Elżbieta Witek, acknowledged the submission and affirmed that the bill would proceed through the usual legislative process, alongside other civic initiatives described as part of the parliamentary workload. She also noted that multiple such measures are under consideration in the Sejm at this time.
Participants in the protests extended beyond the central figures to include individuals repeatedly seen in earlier demonstrations, such as Jakub Hartwich and Adrian Glinka. Glinka, who prefers not to protest, indicated that if action becomes necessary, it will be undertaken. In total, the group comprises 11 people with disabilities and their carers, who occupy the same Sejm corridor and display banners demanding dignity in living and a social pension tied to the lowest national salary. The banners also accuse the government of undermining solidarity funds meant to support people with disabilities.
Security personnel, including the Marshal’s Guard, engaged with the demonstrators and documented the passes of those participating. Reports from the scene indicate that key party leaders initially did not weigh in on Hartwich’s plans during that moment, while the ongoing demonstrations continued to unfold in tandem with parliamentary business.
Historically, the 2018 protest by carers spanned from April 18 to May 27, during which demonstrators pursued two principal goals: to align the social pension with the minimum disability pension and to introduce a living supplement, colloquially described as rehabilitation, for disabled individuals unable to live independently after turning 18. The group argued that one of these goals had already seen progress in the form of a higher social pension. After the protests, several participants faced barring from entry into the Sejm, though in subsequent elections some activists entered public office through party lists, illustrating a complex relationship between protest movements and electoral politics. This recent scene reiterates the enduring debate over the adequacy of disability support and the mechanisms through which social protection is funded and administered in Poland. The coverage here is drawn from ongoing parliamentary reporting sources and contemporary attestations of the participants. The situation remains subject to rapid political developments and parliamentary deliberations, with the potential for new measures to shape the lives of those affected. The latest discussions and protests highlight the persistent demand for social protection that reflects modern living costs and dignity for people with disabilities. The reporting on these events continues to track both the protests and the political responses that follow. This account synthesizes observations from observers and reporters on the ground during the recent Sejm proceedings. The continuing narrative of this issue is documented by parliamentary observers and news services that cover Polish politics and disability policy. PAP