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Volunteer hero: Ganesan fights for migrant rights in Berlin!
Saravanan Ganesan is being honored for his commitment to migrant workers in Berlin Mitte. He supports rights and integration.
Volunteer hero: Ganesan fights for migrant rights in Berlin!
On September 3, 2025, Saravanan Ganesan, a graduate of Viadrina, was awarded the Berlin Mitte Volunteer Award. This honor is recognition of his outstanding commitment to the rights of migrant workers. Ganesan not only completed a Master of European Studies in 2005, but also a second Master in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law in 2019/2020. Through his intensive volunteer work, he specifically supports people who suffer from precarious working conditions.
His association, AFRIW e.V., has set itself the goal of taking action against the often difficult working conditions of immigrant workers. Ganesan documents his clients' working hours, informs them about their rights and complaints options and gives workshops for Indian students and young professionals. With his help, those affected by exploitation can not only tell their stories, but also take legal action to report abuses.
Commitment to the rights of migrants
Ganesan works in close cooperation with a lawyer and is active in the Berlin Mitte Migration Council. In addition, he conducted various interviews to analyze the work situations of migrants. These findings were incorporated into the case study “Project MALABAR”, which examines the approach of a transnational network of perpetrators in Berlin. Ganesan presented the results in workshops, including for the State Criminal Police Office and customs.
His commitment is seen as essential to raise awareness of the rights of migrant workers and improve circumstances. According to information from Arbeit und Leben, advising migrant employees on their labor and social rights is a central part of his work. Various training courses, which take place in cooperation with foreign partners, aim to prevent legal violations and provide comprehensive information.
Legal framework for volunteer work
Voluntary work by refugees, like Ganesan's, not only contributes to social integration, but also makes it easier to learn the German language. Refugees do not need permission from the immigration authorities to do voluntary work; However, this does not apply to internships or regular employment. The legal framework for volunteer work is diverse and set out in various regulations. There is no uniform “volunteering law” for all types of volunteering.
It is important to mention that the distinction between volunteer work and regular employment is often determined by the presence or absence of compensation. While a low salary of up to 200 euros per month is permitted in order to avoid crediting towards social benefits, internships that are not mandatory must be remunerated. If you are unsure, you should consult the immigration authorities to avoid legal pitfalls.
Ganesan's commitment and the legal framework underline the need for a clear awareness of the rights of migrant workers. It is becoming increasingly clear how important it is to build appropriate support structures for this population in order to promote a fair and inclusive society.
Disseminating these successes and experiences is crucial in order to make visible how valuable volunteer work is for society as a whole. It is the determination and dedication of individuals like Saravanan Ganesan that make a lasting impact on the lives of many people.