Since its establishment in 1919, the ILO has played a unique and important role in advancing social justice, decent work, and the dignity of all workers, contributing to more equitable, inclusive, and cohesive societies in all countries around the world.

The ILO’s essential contribution to the recognition of cooperatives

CICOPA particularly wishes to highlight the ILO’s sustained and important contribution to the recognition and strengthening of the cooperative model worldwide. Through its standard-setting work, its unique tripartite dialogue, its technical assistance to governments and its field-level action across regions, the ILO has played a leading international role in promoting recognition of cooperatives as key actors in contributing to decent work, socio-economic inclusion, the transition from the informal to the formal economy and sustainable, people-centred enterprises development.

The ILO Recommendation No. 193 (2002) stands as the key international reference and the only international instrument specifically adressing cooperatives. Adopted through the ILO’s unique tripartite process by governments, employers’, and workers’ representatives, it has served as an important reference point for cooperative legislation and policy development in numerous countries. It guides governments in the development of legal and policy frameworks that enable cooperatives to thrive. It provides an framework for the development of autonomous, democratic, and resilient cooperatives, in line with the values of the international cooperative movement.

For worker cooperatives and social cooperatives represented by CICOPA, this contribution has been instrumental in strengthening recognition of their distinct nature as enterprises that combine economic activity with democratic governance, job stability, and strong local anchorage.

In addition, the ILO has provided technical assistance to governments seeking to develop cooperative-friendly legislative frameworks, supported capacity-building initiatives across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, produced essential research on cooperatives and decent work, and helped ensure that the cooperative model remains present in international policy discussions.

A role more essential than ever

At a time when collective responses are required to address major global transformations, including digital, environmental, and demographic transitions,  CICOPA underlines that the ILO’s mandate remains more relevant than ever. Cooperatives, with their proven capacity to sustain employment, anchor economic activity locally, and combine social and economic objectives, can make an important contribution to these challenges. The ILO must retain the institutional means to support them.

In this regard, CICOPA reiterates its support for:

– the ILO’s mandate to advance social justice and decent work;

– multilateral cooperation and tripartite dialogue;

– enabling legal and policy frameworks that support inclusive and sustainable enterprise models, including cooperatives.

CICOPA reaffirms its full readiness to continue working alongside the ILO in advancing more just, democratic, and sustainable economies, in the service of the common good.