ILO highlights role of industrial cooperatives in driving innovation and job creation

BRUSSELS (ILO News) – The ILO underlined the critical role cooperatives play in advancing quality jobs, social justice and sustainable economic transformation at the December Plenary Session of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).

Speaking at the debate entitled “Cooperatives building a better world: the contribution of the EESC to the International Year of Cooperatives”, Carlien van Empel, Director of ILO-Brussels, explained how cooperatives are building a better, fairer and more sustainable world. The Session brought together representatives of the EU institutions, workers, employers, civil society and the cooperative movement.

Cooperatives blend economic efficiency with solidarity, productivity with participation, and competitiveness with sustainability. These values are not aspirational—they are daily operational principles for millions of cooperative members

said Carlien van Empel

The Director emphasized the growing international attention following the adoption in 2022 of the ILO Resolution on Decent Work and the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) and the ILO Strategy and Action Plan for 2023–2029 which follows up on the Resolution. She noted the EU’s important contribution to shaping this global agenda, particularly through its Social economy Action Plan.

During the Session, the EESC adopted its Opinion titled “Industrial Cooperatives: a tool for the challenge of inclusive and sustainable competitiveness”. It highlights the economic and social significance of industrial cooperatives operating in manufacturing, engineering, processing and digital production, and recognizes their proven ability to weather crises, maintain stable employment and reinvest value into local communities.

The Opinion showcases how industrial cooperatives foster inclusive and sustainable competitiveness, a goal at the heart of Europe’s green and digital transitions. “Industrial cooperatives have shown an impressive capacity to survive shocks, innovate responsibly and preserve livelihoods even under the most challenging conditions,” the ILO Director said.

Cooperatives’ limited access to finance, visibility and recognition in industrial strategies are persistent challenges. Addressing these constraints is not only a question of fairness, but an economic imperative for a more resilient and socially cohesive Europe.

In concluding, the Director called for sustained commitment beyond the International Year of Cooperatives, to ensure that cooperative enterprises - especially industrial cooperatives - have the recognition, support and policy space they need to keep driving innovation, quality jobs and social justice. The ILO remains committed to working with the EU, the EESC, the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) and other partners to strengthen cooperative ecosystems and advance decent work through the social and solidarity economy.