A SOCIAL CO-OPERATIVE AS A FORM OF MITIGATING THE EFFECTS OF UNEMPLOYMENT AND ACTIVISATION OF THE DISABLED

Abstract

Reduction of unemployment or mitigation of its effects requires different economic, legal, or organisational instruments and may take different forms as well. The legal regulations available since 2004 include, inter alia, an institution of a social co-operative. The principles on which such a co-operative is to be organised and may function are set forth in the Act of 27 April 2006 on social co-operatives, substantially amended in 2010. Its provisions create preferential conditions for the unemployed, the disabled, and those entitled to social employment to set up, and be members of, social cooperatives. The paper contains a detailed analysis of the preferences as well as the forms of financial support available from public funds to social co-operatives. Those statutory solutions which are too rigid with regards e.g. the limited membership or employment in social co-operatives are being criticised, and the suggestion with which the paper ends calls for a wider application of those statutory provisions which allow to more accurately and more effectively account for the local needs and conditions, and make better use of the support of the units of local self-government.