It is a revised and updated version of an earlier agreement that was signed in 2004 under the framework of the UN Millennium Development Goals, the ICA reports.
ILO Director General Guy Ryder welcomed the new MoU by saying that “the new agreement with the International Co-operative Alliance is a forward-looking exercise fully consistent with the ILO’s 2016-17 priorities as just adopted by our annual International Labour Conference, as well as Alliance’s Blueprint for a Co-operative Decade. It will allow us to tap into the full potential of cooperatives around the world as we continue to work towards a sustainable future with decent work for all”.
Dame Pauline Green, President of the International Co-operative Alliance: “The Alliance is proud to step up its collaboration with the International Labour Office. Co-operatives promote decent work and labour standards because of the democratic checks and balances existing inside them. Decent work is the cornerstone of sustainable development, and co-operatives - providing over 250 million jobs worldwide -have proven that they can create and sustain quality employment even in times of crisis. Co-ops also play an important role in helping small informal economy producers transition towards the formal economy. Co-operatives are an indispensable asset for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals because they offer an alternative model of enterprise, one that works towards a ‘triple bottom line’ of social, economic and environmental sustainability.”
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The International Labour Organization and the International Co-operative Alliance step up collaboration to promote co-operatives and decent work (International Cooperative Alliance)