They've been building a tunnel under Łódź for months waiting for their money.

In late 2023, construction of a major railway tunnel beneath Łódź was halted following a structural collapse in the city center. The incident occurred during the excavation process, leading to the suspension of work and raising serious concerns about safety and project management. For over six months, the tunnel project has been on hold, leaving many workers without income and creating uncertainty around the future of the infrastructure initiative. Now, nearly two hundred employees who were working under the main contractor and its subsidiary companies have not received their salaries since February 2024, when the contract was terminated.

The tunnel, intended as part of a broader rail network improvement plan, had been a flagship project for PKP PLK, Poland’s national railway company. The construction was being carried out by Przedsiębiorstwo Budowy Dróg i Mostów (PBDiM), based in Minsk Mazowiecki, and its subsidiary, Altor. When the partial collapse of a building on May 1st Street occurred, authorities immediately suspended all operations. PKP PLK stated that they would pay additional funds to PBDiM once work resumed, while PBDiM claimed it could not restart unless it received payment. This deadlock led to the termination of the contract in February 2024, leaving hundreds of workers without wages.

Employees of Altor, which operates as a dependent entity of PBDiM, have been particularly affected. Many of them were hired directly by the company or through subcontracting agreements. Some worked in administrative roles, while others were engaged in heavy construction tasks. Despite repeated requests for clarification, neither PBDiM nor Altor has provided a clear explanation for the lack of payments. Workers report that even basic salary components, including bonuses and severance packages, remain unpaid. One employee mentioned owing approximately 21,000 zł in unpaid wages, highlighting the financial strain faced by individuals and families.

Legal action has also been taken by some workers seeking compensation. Krzysztof Walczak, a former site supervisor, filed a lawsuit demanding his overdue earnings. Although he received a court decision confirming his entitlement, the case remains unresolved due to legal challenges from Altor. The company has contested the claim and requested the court to dismiss it, citing potential costs associated with the proceedings. This situation has left Walczak without both employment and the money he is owed, adding to the frustration among other affected workers.

The dispute between PKP PLK and PBDiM has further complicated matters. According to representatives from PKP PLK, the company has fulfilled its obligations to other subcontractors but refuses to pay claims related to PBDiM and its subsidiaries. They argue that the work performed by these entities was incomplete and unsatisfactory, justifying the withholding of funds. Meanwhile, PBDiM has reportedly initiated bankruptcy proceedings, though the process is ongoing. Employees are concerned that without a formal declaration of insolvency within a year, they will lose access to the Employee Benefits Fund, which could provide some relief.

Authorities have also become involved in the matter. Prosecutors in Minsk Mazowiecki have been investigating whether the non-payment of wages constitutes a criminal offense. They have indicated that there are allegations of deliberate violations of labor rights, prompting a formal inquiry into the actions of PBDiM and Altor. This adds another layer of complexity to the already difficult situation for the workers, who now face not only financial hardship but also uncertainty regarding the legal outcomes.

As the situation continues to unfold, workers are hoping for clarity and resolution. They seek answers about where the profits from the project might have gone and why their wages remain unpaid despite the existence of contractual obligations. With no immediate end in sight, the workers remain in limbo, waiting for either a resolution from the courts or a breakthrough in negotiations between the involved parties. Their plight highlights the broader issues surrounding large-scale infrastructure projects, where delays, disputes, and financial mismanagement can have severe consequences for those directly affected.