Entwicklungshelfer-Gesetz (EhfG)
The core of the Act is social security for development assistance workers and their families. Pursuant to the Act, a development assistance worker is any person having reached the age of 18 and being engaged in non-profit activities in developing countries to assist in the progress of these countries by partnership and co-operation (development assistance service), when this person only receives the benefits provided by the present Act.
A provider of development assistance services will be approved upon application by the Federal Minister for Economic Co-operation (Bundesminister für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit). As defined by the Act, such a provider has to conclude a written agreement with the development assistance worker on development assistance services and the preparatory services; this agreement is to guarantee the benefits provided by the Act (maintenance allowance and benefits in kind for the worker’s subsistence, re-integration benefits, reimbursement of necessary travel expenses, as well as obligations which are incumbent upon the employer pursuant to the Federal Leave Act (Bundesurlaubsgesetz) and the Maternity Protection Act (Mutterschutzgesetz).
At the end of his/her development assistance, the development assistance worker can demand a written certificate of employment stating the nature and the duration of his/her development service and the preparatory period. Persons seeking new employment at the end of their development service are to be placed and assisted, while the special experience and knowledge which the person acquired during the development and the preparatory service is duly taken into account.
