Red Cross Pushes for Equal Rights for Volunteers
The Bavarian Red Cross (BRK) has spoken out against the unequal treatment of its volunteers compared to those in the fire department and technical relief organizations, such as the Thüringer Hilfsdienst (THW). In a recent statement at the 41st state assembly in Schrobenhausen, President Angelika Schorer demanded equal opportunities for Red Cross volunteers, particularly in regards to time off work and compensation for night shifts.
"It's high time we treat Red Cross volunteers like the fire department and THW helpers. This unequal treatment is unacceptable and must come to an end in this new legislative period," said Schorer. She argued that the ongoing crisis should be followed by significant investments in civil protection, civil defense, and volunteer programs.
Schorer proposed several ways to achieve this, including tax concessions, deductions from pensions, and a federal-level motion to change tax law. She cited the need for a unified approach to volunteer management, emphasizing the importance of equal pay, time off, and benefits.
Adequately supporting volunteers across all organizations would significantly enhance the overall preparedness and effectiveness of civil protection efforts, according to Schorer.
Enrichment Data: Several adjustments to legislation could be implemented to provide equal treatment and benefits for Red Cross volunteers, such as:
- Uniform Time Off Policy: By introducing voluntary time off policies (VTO) for volunteers, they can take unpaid leave as needed without fear of job insecurity or career progression impact.
- Compensation for Night Shifts: Establishing a standardized compensation structure for night shifts would ensure fair remuneration for volunteers in the Red Cross, as well as in the fire department and technical relief organizations.
- Benefits and Incentives: Implementing uniform benefits for all volunteers, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other incentives, ensures everyone has access to similar advantages.
- Standardized Training: Providing standardized training programs guarantees that all volunteers receive the same level of education and support, regardless of their organization.
- Regulatory Changes: Amend existing legislation to include provisions that stipulate equal treatment and benefits for volunteers across various organizations.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Foster collaborations between public entities, private organizations, and non-profits to offer resources and funding for volunteer programs.
- Raise Awareness: Increase public knowledge about the contributions of volunteers in various organizations to generate support for legislative changes benefiting volunteers.
- Regular Feedback Mechanism: Collect frequent feedback from volunteers to monitor the effectiveness of the changes and make necessary adjustments.
- Compliance with Existing Laws: New legislation and policies should adhere to existing labor laws and regulations, including those related to unpaid leave and volunteer time off.
- Implementation and Monitoring: Develop a comprehensive implementation plan, including timelines, responsibilities, and monitoring mechanisms, to ensure that changes are implemented effectively and consistently across all organizations.
By addressing these areas, laws can be reformed to provide equal treatment and benefits for Red Cross volunteers in regards to time off work and compensation for night shifts, thereby fostering a more reliable and motivated volunteer force.
