Co-op News (August 2019)

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EUROPE In an uncertain future of work, co-ops are the answer, Cecop tells the EU • 15 member states have improved the quality of their measures encouraging registration of those unemployed; • 12 have enhanced the quality of measures for individual assessments; • long-term unemployment within the EU fell from 5.2% in 2013 to 3.5% in 2017; • in more than half of public employment services, the long-term unemployed receive more tailored assessments and guidance than other groups; • 17 member states have improved the quality of their employment measures; • 14 member states have improved the quality of their measures to increase employer involvement. The European confederation of industrial and service co-ops (Cecop) has published a paper highlighting the sector’s work to tackle long-term unemployment. Cecop said many of its member co-ops work to integrate disadvantaged groups – and not just by providing jobs. Social co-ops in its network, such as those in Italy, invest in training and provide tailored jobs for people with specific needs, including those with disabilities or facing social exclusion. Italy alone has around 4,000 social co-ops that facilitate labour integration, employing 60,000 people – 30% of them disadvantaged workers. And by joining a co-op, Cecop added, employees can become worker owners and have a stake in the business. Such worker co-ops are often set up by workers who have been made redundant. The paper is a reaction to an evaluation published by the European Commission (EC) in April. In 2015, the EC proposed a consultation to the Council of the European Union, which included government ministers from each EU country, focusing on the provision of services to the long-term unemployed. At the time, Cecop responded with a reaction paper detailing the work of co-ops. The EC’s suggestions were later reflected in a council recommendation on the integration of the long-term unemployed, published in February 2016. This called on member states to encourage registration of the longterm unemployed with an employment service, increase individualised support and ensure delivery of a job-integration agreement within 18 months. It also suggests coordinating services through a single point of contact and encouraging the development of partnerships between employers, social partners and services, authorities and training providers. In April 2019, the EC reported to the Council on the state of play at member state level. Since the adoption of the recommendation, it said: The evaluation also suggests ways to strengthen implementation, including intensifying employer involvement and supporting the development of social enterprises offering job opportunities. In response, Cecop argued that while the general trend was positive, figures did not take into account the type and duration of contracts of those formerly unemployed who manage to secure jobs. It welcomed the EC’s recommendation to intensify the involvement of employers, particularly by supporting social enterprises, but added that the role of co-ops and social economy enterprises had not been specifically taken into account in the evaluation framework. Meanwhile, at Cecop’s 40th anniversary conference in Manchester in June, Liina Carr from European Trade Union Confederation (Etuc) urged co-ops and trade unions to work together to protect workers in the gig economy. Some studies predict 45%-60% of all workers in Europe could see themselves replaced by automation before 2030. Etuc is campaigning to ensure that the protections built in to traditional forms of work are maintained in new ones. With a new European Parliament and Commission, Etuc will work with Cecop to ensure the social dimension is taken into account when the economy undergoes the green transition. They are also collaborating to make sure the European Pillar of Social Rights is implemented. u Cecop’s 40th anniversary: page 36-37 20 | AUGUST 2019
YOUR VIEWS DEFENCE OF CLAIRE MCCARTHY – AND THE NEED TO BRING EXPERIENCED PEOPLE TO THE CO-OP MOVEMENT We write on behalf of Central England Co-operative and wish to take part issue with Vic Parks’ views concerning the position of general secretary of the Co-op Party (letters, Co-op News, July). While it might be ideal to have someone from within the movement in the role, it limits the field as the successful leader needs to have experience both in lobbying and with parliamentarians in order to put the interests of the co-operative business model on the Westminster agenda. We do not feel that electing someone probably on the strength of a written address, a video and a photo would be appropriate. We elect a National Executive Committee from within the movement and have trust in them to select someone worthy of this office through interviews and rigorous questioning. We also feel there’s some unfairness by Vic towards previous holders and would wish to pay tribute particularly to the departing Claire McCarthy. At Central England Society we have worked very closely with Claire and she has done a sterling job of liaising with the funding societies and setting a strategy into which we can all buy. She has listened and she’s visited, she has presented and she’s socialised and she has taken people along with her and created credibility and common sense along the way. We at Central England wish her well in her new role actually delivering services to people – Claire is a ‘people person’ – but we are also extremely sorry to see her go and she leaves very big shoes to fill. Claire leaves the Co-operative Party in excellent shape and we should all of us thank her for her commitment and dedication over the last few years. Far from being a stepping stone on a career path, we believe Claire has left a legacy of organised systems and popular policies which will set the foundations for her successor to take even further forward. Good luck Claire for the future – and thank you ! Elaine Dean and Jane Avery President and vice president Central England Co-operative WE NEED SOME REALISM IN OUR PLANS TO GROW THE CO-OP MOVEMENT Sometimes it seems that the co-op sector is very good at talking to and praising itself. This is only helpful as long as it does not believe its own hype, as it were. An example relates to the goal of doubling the size of the UK co-op economy, as laid out by the Co-operative Party. Taking the number of co-ops as but one metric, a figure of 7,000 co-operative businesses in the UK (News, July 2010, page 3) may seem in isolation to be impressive. Yet according to the UK government’s Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy there were some 5.7 million private sector businesses in the nation in 2018. At around one thousandth of the proportion of all such enterprises, clearly the co-operative sector has a very long way to go on that basis. This is not to decry the aim. Merely to suggest a degree of realism as to the scale of the task. Which consideration may turn out to be helpful on the way to success. Geraint Day Swindon NEW FUND IS WELCOME, BUT THERE’S MORE TO DO The Relaunch of Rural Community Energy Fund is very welcome and a huge help for #communityenergy, but more needs to be done to support urban development, innovation and investment. Thanks to @coopnews for covering this issue. Emma Bridge (@emmabridge_1) via Twitter WILL THE #1MILLIONOWNERS CAMPAIGN MAKE A DIFFERENCE? [The problem with employee-ownership is that] the worker-members have no right of ownership, individually, on the equity of their co-operative – equity which was financed and established by the members’ economic participation in their co-operative activities. Rik Riklar (@RRiklar) via Twitter Have your say Add your comments to our stories online at thenews.coop, get in touch via social media, or send us a letter. If sending a letter, please include your address and contact number. Letters may be edited and no longer than 350 words. Co-operative News, Holyoake House, Hanover Street, Manchester M60 0AS letters@thenews.coop @coopnews Co-operative News AUGUST 2019 | 21
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