Interactions between Workers’ Organizations and Workers in the Informal Economy: A Compendium of Practice

30 January 2020

A compilation of concrete examples, drawn from around the world, showing how trade unions have sought to reach out to workers in the informal economy to reduce the decent work deficits they face and support their transition to formality.

Waste pickers’ cooperatives and social and solidarity economy organizations

20 August 2019

Waste pickers make significant contributions to public health, sanitation, and the environment by promoting resource circulation and reducing the amount of landfill. However, they are often not legally recognized as workers and suffer from poor working conditions and lack of social protection. This brief highlights the role of waste pickers' cooperatives and other social and solidarity economy organizations (SSEOs) in integrating and formalizing the work of waste pickers in the recycling value chain and improving their working conditions.

Cooperatives and the ready-made garment supply chain

25 January 2019

Although the contribution of cooperatives in the garment sector has not been quantified, cooperatives of all sizes operate along the garment supply chain including in agriculture, textile and apparel production, retail and supporting functions. Most garment production and manufacturing sites are located in developing countries. For the purpose of this brief, we will refer to three types of cooperatives, according to the type of members: producers, workers and users.

Cooperating out of HIV and AIDS

13 November 2013

After more than 30 years of the HIV and AIDS epidemic, “the world has turned the corner – it has halted and begun to reverse the spread of HIV”. HIV is no longer a death sentence; due to scientific and medical advances, effective treatment is available for managing HIV just as any other chronic health condition.

Cooperatives offer migrant workers options for better lives

19 September 2013

Cooperative enterprises have improved the lives of women and men migrant workers and their families for decades. Migrants find income and jobs, access affordable goods and services and find empowerment through cooperative enterprises, participating in the cooperative movement. Moreover, cooperative enterprises are facilitating economic, social and cultural integration or re-integration of migrant workers in both destination and home countries.

Trade unions and worker cooperatives: Where are we at?

Productivity in cooperatives and worker-owned enterprises: ownership and participation - Make a difference

01 September 2004

This volume has been prepared as a background paper for the ILO's World employment Report 2004: Employment, productivity and poverty reduction. It examines how the ownership structure and the active participation of workers and members in cooperatives and worker-owned enterprises impact on the productivity of such enterprises.