Gov't NGO bill proposes easing restrictions and expanding work experience

The government intends to regulate cooperation with non-government org anizations (NGO). On Friday Labor Minister Jerzy Hausner presented the Sejm with a draft bill on charity and voluntary associations. So far the re gulations have lacked transparency and frequently raised doubts about the activities of such groups. The draft postulates the creation of so-called "organizations working for the public good," which would enjoy special privileges and would execute government commissions. Additionally, under the draft, volunteers would be entitled to social insurance and to reimbursement of costs. Artur Zawisza from the Law and Justice party (PiS) opposed the idea, claiming that members of voluntary organizations should be able to support themselves and should not join an organizations in order to get the work-related benefits. Controversy arose over the proposal to limit capital investment - only the purchase of treasury bills and bonds would be ta x-free. The Labor Minister defended his proposals on the grounds that it would provide unemployed graduates with an opportunity to acquire relevant job experience. According to the government there are at least 30,000 NGO's, which have two million members. (Gazeta Wyborcza, June 22-23, p. 3) K.S.