Recent research on the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic on HBWs shows the value of collectives, cooperatives and producer companies that fall under the rubric of the SSE. HomeNetInternational (HNI), launched in February 2021, is a global network of 36 workers' organizations representing HBWs from 20 countries around the world. On August 11, 2021, HNI organized a session with the ILO COOP Manager to answer questions on the SSE. In addition regional representatives of HBWs organizations reflected on how they engage with the SSE. The webinar concluded with a commitment to organize a webinar where the HNI affiliates’ SSE experiences would be discussed.

In follow up to this session, HNI organized another webinar on 28 January 2022. Representatives from four HBWs organizations in India, Brazil, the Philippines and Ethiopia made presentations at the webinar. They shared the challenges faced by their members in general and during the global pandemic in particular. They also provided examples of how they have benefited from SSE organizations. Ms Esim provided opening remarks for the session. She highlighted the ways SSE organizations of HBWs could be strengthened including supportive policy environment, financing and capacity building services. She also informed the HNI webinar participants of the key questions that will be considered during the general discussion on decent work and the SSE at the 110th session of the International Labour Conference. Chaired by Mirai Chatterjee, the session included a questions and answers segment following the presentations by the HBWs organizations. The questions included: what is the most appropriate size for cooperatives, and the availability of data on the SSE.