The President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has opened a preliminary investigation into a potential anti-competitive agreement in Poland’s road transport sector. The case concerns allegations that several logistics companies may have restricted drivers’ ability to change employers.
As part of the proceedings, UOKiK officials conducted searches at the premises of three companies: Krotrans Logistics, C.H. Robinson, and Mena P.M.
According to UOKiK, the firms are suspected of applying so-called “cooling-off” or “blocking” mechanisms that could have prevented truck drivers from being hired by competing firms for a certain period after leaving their previous employer.
“The suspected actions may have affected competition conditions in the road freight transport services market. Therefore, I have initiated explanatory proceedings and ordered searches at the premises of three entities. We are currently analysing the collected evidence,” said Tomasz Chróstny, President of UOKiK.
This is the latest in a series of UOKiK interventions targeting potential collusion in labour markets. The authority is already pursuing an antitrust case against Jeronimo Martins Polska and several transport firms, as well as a preliminary inquiry into Dino’s corporate group. In recent years, UOKiK has issued decisions concerning illegal wage-fixing agreements among professional basketball players and speedway riders.
The ongoing investigation into the transport companies is currently being conducted “in rem”, meaning it concerns the matter itself rather than specific companies or individuals. Should the collected evidence confirm the suspicions, UOKiK will open formal antitrust proceedings and press charges against identified parties.
Participation in an anti-competitive agreement can lead to fines of up to 10% of a company’s annual turnover. Managers personally involved in the collusion may face penalties of up to PLN 2 million.
However, UOKiK emphasizes that leniency is available for participants who come forward and cooperate with the authority. Under Poland’s leniency program, companies or individuals that disclose details of an illegal agreement and assist in the investigation may have their fines reduced—or even waived entirely—if they provide significant evidence.
