Unpaid Labor as a Positive in the Fight with Poverty – Voluntary Labor and Volunteering

The study analyzes the most perspective form of unpaid labor – volunteering. An attempt is made to define and structure the voluntary labor. Its normative-legal aspects concerning inclusion of the voluntary labor relations in the system of labor relations are studied. The contributions and directions of development of the voluntary labor in the fight with poverty and the achieving of sustainable economic growth are outlined. The focus is placed on the measuring and valuing of the voluntary labor, on its economic and social contribution aiming at achieving its adequate recognition by the society and the equality between people employed with paid labor and those with unpaid labor, in this case – the volunteers.