The President of the Polish Competition Authority, Tomasz Chróstny, has initiated proceedings against Jeronimo Martins Polska, the owner of the Biedronka supermarket chain, along with 32 transport companies and eight individuals. The allegations suggest that these entities may have engaged in an anti-competitive agreement that limits the ability of drivers to change employers.

One hypothetical scenario illustrates the potential consequences of this suspected collusion: a driver named Paweł, after years of working for a transport company servicing Biedronka, sought better employment opportunities but was reportedly blocked from transitioning to another company due to an agreement among transport firms to prevent employee movement. This situation highlights the detrimental impact such agreements can have on workers' rights and mobility.

Chróstny emphasized that the suspected collusion aimed to restrict drivers' transitions between transport companies servicing Biedronka's distribution centers, thereby avoiding competition for employees. Such practices not only violate competition law but also infringe on individual rights to choose and change jobs freely.

The transport companies allegedly coordinated anti-competitive actions at specific distribution centers, with Biedronka overseeing these agreements nationwide. This included imposing restrictions on drivers wishing to change employers, effectively limiting their professional mobility and salary growth opportunities.

Non-compete agreements regarding employee recruitment, known as no-poach agreements, are illegal as they affect a crucial aspect of competition—employee wages. These agreements can lead to lower salaries and hinder wage growth compared to a competitive labor market.

Penalties for participating in such collusion can reach up to 10% of a company's turnover, while responsible managers may face fines of up to 2 million PLN. However, companies and managers can potentially reduce or avoid these penalties through a leniency program, which requires cooperation with the competition authority and provision of evidence regarding the illegal agreement.

The Polish Competition Authority also encourages anonymous whistleblowers to report anti-competitive practices through a dedicated platform, ensuring complete anonymity for informants.