The Concòrdia parliamentary group has put forward a dozen amendments to the volunteering bill, focusing on enhancing the protection of volunteers, facilitating their participation, and ensuring adequate conditions of safety and transparency.
One of the key proposals is to prevent volunteering from replacing paid jobs, addressing permanent staffing needs, or reducing hiring costs. The group aims to maintain the altruistic nature of volunteering and ensure it does not directly contribute to generating economic benefits from lucrative activities.
Among the amendments are measures to strengthen the protection of personal data for both volunteers and the recipients of their services. Additionally, there is a proposal to require a criminal background check for activities involving contact with minors, as well as to provide psychological or therapeutic support for volunteers who may need it as a result of their work.
Another focus is to make volunteering more inclusive. Concòrdia suggests that organisations provide the necessary support and adaptations to enable people with disabilities to participate on equal terms, respecting their wishes and preferences. The group also proposes distinguishing between regular volunteers and those who contribute occasionally.
Finally, Concòrdia aims to ensure insurance coverage for individuals participating in volunteering missions abroad and to promote flexible working hours to facilitate participation in these activities, particularly in emergency response or public safety initiatives.
