The first proposal is to establish in 2013 a "preferential right" to workers in the buyout of enterprises because, according to the Minister, cooperatives could provide a solution to the case of companies in risk of closing down. The second step is to provide training for the Courts for bankruptcy and professionals responsible for the taking over or the transformation of enterprises into cooperatives to remove “the reluctance, even hostility” of courts against worker cooperatives.
Then, the Minister envisages the creation of a status for new worker cooperatives that foresee the constitution of a new transitory status that will make the creation or transformation of enterprises by its workers easier. A new measure in the scope of the Law is the creation of the status of cooperative groups (the current legislation does not permit it).
The sixth and seventh points foresee the increasing support of cooperative networks (regional unions of workers' cooperatives in France) and the encouragement of worker cooperative export.
A sustainable and prudent model According to Hamon, the French government supports worker cooperatives because they are a “long-lasting economic model, wise, universal; a model that doesn’t relocate, a quality one”. Statements and proposals made by the French Minister can show the way to other countries.
It is hoped that, beyond recovery, companies in crisis by their workers, which is indeed very important, the French government would also promote rising and innovative sectors.
In addition, the network of enterprises formed by CICOPA would like also to offer its practical experience to use at the disposal of the French Government, regarding the cooperative groups. More information about the Global Worker Cooperative Day here: http://www.cicopa.coop/Over-one-thousand-people.html
