GENEVA — A joint webinar organized by the ILO’s Cooperative, Social and Solidarity Economy (COOP/SSE) Unit, the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), and the International Cooperative Entrepreneurship Think Tank (ICETT) highlighted how large and multinational cooperatives advance decent work across global supply chains. The event brought together cooperative leaders, experts, and practitioners to share operational tools, governance mechanisms, and partnership models that strengthen labor rights, improve supplier engagement, and embed people-centered economic practices. Opening remarks emphasized the role of cooperatives in promoting participation, accountability, and sustainability in line with ILO Recommendation No. 193 and the 2022 ILC Resolution on Decent Work and the SSE.
Speakers from different cooperative sectors showcased practical tools that translate cooperative identity and governance into improved working conditions and due diligence across supply chains. Jungsik Jung of Korea’s National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NACF) highlighted programs supporting young farmers, women, and foreign seasonal workers, along with financing, social protection, and legal services for farmer-members. Germán Lorenzo Ochoa from Spain’s MONDRAGON Corporation described governance structures for social management, participation models extended to subsidiaries, and supply-chain oversight tools including the ATEGI Corporate Purchasing Platform and supplier auditing systems.
Michael Mugo of CIC Microinsurance in Kenya illustrated how tailored insurance products support low-income households, smallholder farmers, and informal workers, while dedicated HR and ESG committees and training programs reinforce decent work and responsible business conduct. Debbie Robinson, CEO of Central Co-operative in the UK, presented practices in responsible supply chain management, including fair renewable energy procurement, digital engagement tools for transparency, partnerships for cooperative development, and a Fund for International Cooperative Development supporting governance and capacity building.
The webinar also highlighted alignment with the ILO Action Programme on Supply Chains, emphasizing that large cooperatives are capable of influencing supply chains beyond small-scale initiatives. Closing remarks called for deeper collaboration between the ILO and cooperatives to document good practices, pilot cooperative due diligence approaches, and strengthen national cooperative ecosystems. The event underscored that large cooperatives, through their scale, democratic governance, and international reach, can catalyze more equitable, transparent, and worker-centered supply chains.
