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International Labor Conference adopts conclusions on Decent Work and the Social and Solidarity Economy

cicopa

13 June 2022

The 110th session of the International Labor Conference for the first time held a comprehensive discussion on the Social and Solidarity Economy and adopted conclusions.

For the first time the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) has been present on the agenda of the International Labor Conference (ILC) at its 110th session. It discussed the Report on Decent Work and the Social and Solidarity Economy, which among others recognizes cooperatives as a key social and solidarity economy actor and the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) as International Labour Organization’s (ILO) partner since 1919. The report is available in 13 languages, including Spanish and French, here.

It should be noted that CICOPA, as a sectoral organization of the ICA, has already had a long history of cooperation with the ILO’s COOP unit. However, the last session of the ILC launched the first comprehensive discussion on the SSE at the ILO, and the first high-level debate in the UN system around the development potential of the SSE.

As a result of the discussions of the Conference, conclusions have been adopted. They provide a definition of the Social and Solidarity Economy (which encompasses cooperatives) and highlight its contribution to “decent work, inclusive and sustainable economies, social justice, sustainable development and improving standards of living for all”. The conclusions also ask the ILO Member States to promote the Social and Solidarity Economy and address outstanding challenges it is facing, including improved access to finance and other support measures.

As the next step, the ILO Governing Body will discuss implementation of these conclusions in November 2022.

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