The main aims of Saudi Arabia’s voluntary service law are to organize, develop, promote, and regulate the culture of volunteering in the community.
It also highlights the rights and duties of volunteers and beneficiaries while seeking to promote patriotism, humanitarian work, and instill a spirit of social responsibility into society.
The law defines a beneficiary as any non-profit entity that benefits from voluntary work whether public or private.
The beneficiary should provide essential rights to volunteers such as an identity card, necessary training in the voluntary field, the required devices, tools, and clothing needed for the work, transportation, and, where necessary, housing.
Under the rules, if a volunteer is injured while travelling to, or taking part in training or work activities, appropriate medical treatment should also be provided.
Certificates should be issued to volunteers detailing the type and duration of the work performed and the experience gained.
The law obliges the volunteer to show respect and integrity and be ethical and honest. They must abide by any health and safety regulations that may be in place and maintain and return items of equipment used to carry out works.
In addition, the law stipulates that volunteers should not disclose any work-related confidential information to media organizations without obtaining prior permission from an authorized person of the beneficiary.
In the event of serious injury to a volunteer which prevents them from working for an indefinite period, or even death, compensation will be made available in accordance with the work policy of the beneficiary.
Partial or permanent disabilities caused while conducting volunteer work but that do not prevent a volunteer from working will be assessed for compensation by a competent medical authority.
• Dimah Talal Alsharif is a Saudi legal consultant, head of the health law department at the law firm of Majed Garoub and a member of the International Association of Lawyers. twitter: @dimah_alsharif
