What are your rights as a volunteer?
Everyone has the right to apply to be a volunteer and for their candidacy to be considered without discrimination. However, in certain cases, volunteers may be subject to selection criteria such as age or the conditions for involvement or training related to the special nature of the voluntary work to be performed.
If you are a volunteer, you are entitled to the full protection of your human rights when carrying out the work.
In Georgia, volunteering is recognized as an activity that contributes to social well-being and is governed by a combination of legal principles, with specific references in civil law and labour legislation. The rights of volunteers are not as explicitly detailed as those of employees, but certain legal frameworks and protections do apply to volunteer work, particularly in areas such as non-discrimination, safety, and non-payment of services.
The Labour Code of Georgia does not directly regulate volunteer work as it is designed primarily for paid employment. Volunteers are not considered employees under the Labour Code.
The Law on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination prohibits discrimination against volunteers in access to services, participation in activities, or receipt of benefits from the organization based on these characteristics.
important Voluntary work cannot be performed for the replacement of an employee. If the work you are performing would otherwise be carried out by a paid employee, the acceptance of your voluntary work without remuneration is illegal.
What human rights violation may there be?
Depending on the nature of the voluntary work that you are carrying out, several of your human rights may be affected. For example, if you are being discriminated against during the selection procedure or the work itself, i.e., if you are being prohibited from carrying out the work because of your nationality or ethnicity, your right to not be discriminated against may be violated. Alternatively, if the organiser of the volunteer service does not observe the requirements for safe working conditions and you are harmed, your right to life may have been violated. In addition, if you are forced to perform work, it is in violation of the prohibition of forced labour.