Why it matters
It gives worker cooperatives a specific international definition beyond general cooperative principles, with emphasis on sustainable jobs, worker-membership, democratic self-management, and autonomy.
Best for
Clarifying what makes a worker co-op distinct from other employee ownership or cooperative models.
This declaration is one of the clearest global reference points for worker cooperative identity. It is especially useful when a group is trying to distinguish worker ownership from broad employee participation, conventional employment, or investor-led ownership. Use it as a grounding document for governance education, bylaws discussions, and ecosystem explainers.
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From Worker co-op governance basics
The Worker Co-operative Code
Add this UK code for a more operational account of worker-cooperative practice. Treat its legal and institutional context as a reference point rather than importing it unchanged into another jurisdiction.
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