International Day of Co-operatives is an initiative by the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA), an international network that unites, represents and serves co-operatives worldwide. Founded in 1895, the organisation represents around 3 million co-operatives globally and provides a platform for sharing knowledge, expertise and co-ordinated action for co-operatives.
Every year for the past 96 years, the ICA has celebrated International Day of Co-operates, which focus on a different theme each year. This year, International Day of Co-operatives is celebrated on 6 July with the theme: COOPS 4 DECENT WORK. The core message of this year’s theme is that co-operatives are people-centred enterprises, characterised by their democratic control, human development and social justice within the workplace.
According to Ariel Guarco, President of the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA): “Co-operatives help to preserve employment and promote decent work in all sectors of the economy”. Co-operatives around the world provide jobs to 10% of the global employed population. In addition, the top 300 co-operatives generate 2.1 trillion USD in turnover while providing the services and infrastructure society needs to thrive.
In the South African context, co-operatives have a major role to play in job creation and job sustainability as the current unemployment rate is at a staggering 27,6%. Iemas Financial Services, South Africa’s largest financial co-operative, employs over 500 people, based in 29 offices nationwide. Thus contributing to employment in most parts of the country.
Iemas strive to provide a healthy work environment with ongoing support by means of people and leadership development, diversity integration and employee wellness programmes. In promising to be a caring partner to its members, Iemas employees are encouraged to live the Iemas values of professionalism, integrity, ownership and accountability, dignity, teamwork and innovation.
More blog articles on educational loans:
- Iemas offers affordable financing solutions to assist matric graduates in building a bright future
- Iemas Financial Services looks at the impact of low or negative economic growth and how to cope financially during these trying economic times
- How education and training affect the economy
- Invest in the youth by investing in financial education
Sources: https://www.ica.coop/en, https://www.fin24.com/Economy/just-in-unemployment-rate-rises-to-276-in-first-quarter-of-2019-20190514