Workers Rights for Volunteers in NSW

PLEASE - ONLY SIGN THIS PETITION IF YOU LIVE IN NSW AUSTRALIA.

There is no law or regulation for volunteers in New South Wales to refer to for assistance when they find that they are not being treated fairly by the management of a charity or not-for-profit organisation, or if they are not able to convince management to review its staff management practices. Some organisations have appropriate grievance policies that provide for complaints to be dealt with by independent mediation and arbitration, but such policies are not compulsory

Many volunteers find that they are bullied and their rights not protected. They have no right to seek help from the Privacy Commissioner, the Ombudsman, or the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). The Department of Fair Trading has jurisdiction over many charities under the Associations Act, but can only act if there is a breach of the Act. The Department has no power to intervene if there are breaches of the Constitution, Code of Conduct or grievance policies. Some charities take advantage of this lack of government power, knowing that the Government cannot intervene. This causes many volunteer workers to end up as involuntary unemployed.

Volunteer work is still work. Workers that receive wages have options when they are unfairly treated by bosses, but volunteer workers can't do anything about their employers. We call on government to protect all those dedicated volunteer workers who give their time, energy, and money in service to others.

Support this initiative - email this link to your friends
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/workers-rights-for-volunteers-in-nsw.html

PLEASE - ONLY SIGN THIS PETITION IF YOU LIVE IN NSW AUSTRALIA.