CARLA MORARU: ICA Legal Policy Intern
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a worldwide powerhouse for social justice and decent work. Since its establishment in 1919, this United Nations specialized agency has united governments, employers, and workers to ignite a global movement for fair and dignified employment. Together, the organization’s constituents shape bold policies and transformative programs that pave the way to a world where decent work is not a luxury but a fundamental right for all. At its best, the International Labour Organization acts as a living body of standards, evolving according to changing morals and values and responsive to cultural and social shifts. Similarly, the cooperative model often emerges in reaction to developments within capitalist structures to counter unfair working conditions and a distinct lack of agency within traditional workplaces. As a result, the goals of cooperatives align strikingly with the ILO’s stated purpose– The organization’s constitution, the Philadelphia Declaration, proclaims the ILO’s cause as advancing “economic security,” “equal opportunity,” “social justice” and “democratic decision [making] with a view to the promotion of the common welfare.” Within the ILO itself, the Cooperative Unit collaborates with various stakeholders, including governments, cooperatives, and other international organizations, to advance the co-op movement and foster inclusive and sustainable development.
In the pursuit of ethical progress, Promotion of Cooperatives Recommendation (No.193), whose scope encompasses cooperatives of all types across many nations, emerges as a compelling catalyst. When establishing its scope, definition, and objectives, the recommendation recognizes the importance of "sustainable human development" and emphasizes cooperatives’ contribution to achieving this goal. Its text champions workers’ active participation and empowerment within cooperatives by embracing the cooperative values, enumerated in section I of the recommendation as “self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity.” The ILO also provides the necessary framework for translating such values into tangible actions by incorporating the International Cooperative Alliance's (ICA) definition of cooperatives in its annex. This comprehensive listing of ICA standards also serves to reaffirm, as per international law, the global recognition of the cooperative model as a viable and impactful economic enterprise. While the Promotion of Cooperatives Recommendation (No.193) itself is not legally binding, it holds significant weight as an authoritative interpretation of internationally recognized labor standards, just like other ILO recommendations. These proposed standards contribute to shaping and informing policies and practices related to cooperatives at the national and international levels. Consequently, the Promotion of Cooperatives Recommendation (No.193) is an essential foundation for a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world, where economic development goes hand in hand with social progress and not in opposition to it.
Undoubtedly, the ILO recognizes the positive attributes of cooperatives as a model for sustainable development. The recommendation further emphasizes the importance of creating an enabling environment to unlock the maximum potential of these collective enterprises. Within section II of the text, pertaining to policy frameworks, the ILO advocates the necessary means of legal reform for an alternative organizational mode, i.e., cooperatives. The recommendation advances fair and dignified work by promoting, in paragraph 8 on national policy, gender equality in cooperatives, along with the enforcement of labor laws to prevent non-compliance and disguised employment relationships. Additionally, the ILO urges that national policy aim to enhance skills development, access to information and technology, workplace safety, productivity, competitiveness, credit, and market access for cooperatives; these initiatives constitute essential building blocks for cooperative sustainable growth and success. The recommendation aligns with the principles defined in paragraph 3 of the 2001 United Nations Guidelines for the Establishment of Supportive Environments for Cooperatives, which aptly state that: “Policies should protect and advance the potential of cooperatives to help members achieve their individual goals and, by so doing, to contribute to society’s broader aspirations.”
Since one of the primary hurdles in advancing the cooperative movement lies in raising awareness about its model and dispelling misconceptions surrounding it, the ILO’s support for national policy advancing the “dissemination of information on cooperatives” is an especially significant aspect of Recommendation No. 193. The UN guidelines themselves specifically reference the need to utilize “affirmative action to overcome prejudice and misinformation where the term cooperative is associated with a previous and inappropriate usage.” In line with paragraph 19 of the 2001 UN guidelines, the ILO advises that legislators implement national policies to promote education and training in cooperative principles within the national education and training system and throughout society at large Furthermore, in section 5 on international cooperation, the ILO encourages relationships between national and international bodies, such as in drafting common guidelines and legislation at the regional and international levels, in consultation with cooperatives and relevant organizations. The ILO further advocates facilitating access to national and international data, market information, legislation, training methods, technology, and product standards for cooperatives to enhance their overall capabilities. Such collaboration enables the establishment of alliances, partnerships, and commercial relations between cooperatives, promoting and protecting cooperative values and principles.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) continues to play a vital role in promoting social justice, decent work, and inclusive economic development. In recent years, the ILO has been actively addressing various issues to improve labor conditions globally. With the Convention on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work (2019), for instance, which emphasizes the need for effective policies, prevention measures, and support systems to eradicate these issues from workplaces, the ILO has taken a crucial step toward ensuring the safety and dignity of workers worldwide. In line with the guiding principles of the International Labour Organization, reflected in its progressive policies, the transformative power of cooperatives is undeniable. As we move forward, it is imperative that governments, businesses, and civil society collectively recognize and harness the potential of cooperatives, translating Recommendation 193 into meaningful action. By actively embracing and implementing the ILO's recommendations, stakeholders can create an enabling environment that empowers cooperatives to flourish, amplifying their positive impact on workers, communities, and economies worldwide.
Carla Moraru