ZUS to introduce new social security numbers and e-filing for employers

New legislation being drafted by the Labor Ministry envisages the introduction of new social security numbers to replace the NIP and PESEL numbers which are too long and prone to errors. The new numbers will make it possible for all employers to process the social security benefits of their employees and submit them to the Social Insurance Company (ZUS) electronically. The new changes however, do not affect firms employing less than five people. Such employers would have to empower their banks to check the details of the transaction to ensure personal details of the employee conform with those recorded at ZUS. Banks would be accountable for any discrepancies with ZUS. The new program would be introduced gradually starting with firms employing more than 1,000 employees. The objective of the electronic system is to eliminate errors that occur during manual processing. About 30% of submissions are filed incorrectly every month. (Prawo i Gospodarka, page 1, 9) S.M.