Labour Day 2025: Consumer Cooperatives Leading Decent Work

Each year, Labour Day reminds us of workers' essential role in building fairer, more sustainable societies. Labour Day holds even greater meaning in 2025 as we celebrate the International Year of Cooperatives: it is an opportunity to reaffirm how the cooperative model promotes decent work, social equity, and economic resilience — all key objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Consumer cooperatives, rooted in the principles and values of democracy, solidarity, and self-responsibility, have long been committed to empowering workers and building inclusive workplaces. Unlike traditional businesses, cooperatives are owned and governed by their members, ensuring that economic benefits are shared, workplace rights are respected, and social responsibility is prioritised. By embodying Principle 2 (Democratic Member Control) and Principle 7 (Concern for Community), cooperatives foster workplaces where participation, fairness, and well-being are not optional, but fundamental.

Across Europe, Euro Coop members are setting powerful examples of what decent work looks like in practice:

Samkaup (Iceland) is widely recognised for its strong commitment to social sustainability and fostering an inclusive working environment. The cooperative champions equal pay and prioritises employee growth through day workshops, strategy days, and a year-long leadership programme. Its Vocational Training in Retail and Service enables staff to earn retail degrees and develop key skills, while also promoting Icelandic language learning to support workplace inclusion. Samkaup’s holistic approach places people at the centre of its operations, empowering employees both personally and professionally.

Consum (Spain) leads in providing stable and quality employment opportunities. In 2024, Consum offered more than 3,500 job positions to reinforce its workforce during the summer season and holiday periods. Almost 1,000 of these positions have become permanent. Consum also values inclusivity and diversity: 72% of its workforce are women, and the cooperative has expanded steadily, doubling its workforce over the past ten years to over 21,800 employees across several Spanish regions. Its human resources excellence has been recognised by the renewal of the Top Employers certification for twelve consecutive years, highlighting its commitment to excellent working conditions and talent development. Furthermore, Consum is leading efforts to prioritise emotional well-being in the workplace. The cooperative’s new People and Well-being Strategy focuses on personal, professional, and organisational well-being. This strategy places strong emphasis on creating a workplace culture that actively supports emotional health, recognising it as a key pillar for overall business sustainability and worker satisfaction.

EROSKI (Spain) has reinforced its commitment to advancing equality, inclusion, and diversity by joining the LEAD Network Europe Advisory Board, a group of industry leaders dedicated to these principles in the retail and consumer goods sector. With 77% of EROSKI’s workforce being women, 74% holding leadership roles, and 81% participating in governance positions, the cooperative stands as a strong advocate for gender equality. EROSKI’s 2023–2027 Equality Plan focuses on ensuring gender parity, preventing workplace discrimination, and promoting work-life balance as a key element to close gaps and foster a culture of equity. These actions show that gender equality is not only a value for EROSKI, but a daily reality embedded in its corporate strategy.

Coop Estonia has been recognised as the most desirable employer in the trade sector, a prestigious title that highlights Coop's commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace. The survey results revealed that Estonian workers value flexible work arrangements, an inclusive culture, and innovative practices — qualities that Coop Estonia has prioritised. This achievement underscores Coop’s role as a leader in creating an environment where employees thrive, demonstrating how cooperatives can attract and retain talent by putting people first.

Coop Italy is deeply committed to labour rights and ethical supply chains. In 1998, Coop Italy became the first Italian and European company — and the eighth worldwide — to obtain SA8000 Ethical Certification, setting a new standard in the protection of workers’ rights. In line with SA8000, Coop Italy requires its suppliers of Coop-branded products to sign an ethical code of conduct that includes commitments on issues such as child and forced labour, discrimination, workplace health and safety, freedom of association, fair wages, and working hours. Coop Italy has also promoted several initiatives to strengthen ethical supply chains, including the "Buoni e Giusti" ("Good and Fair") campaign, raising awareness among consumers and encouraging suppliers to join the Quality Agricultural Work Network, aimed at tackling illegal labour practices. By 2023, about 8% of Coop Italy’s agricultural suppliers were registered (compared to a national average of 3%), and in the tomato processing chain, the figure reached over 50%. Additionally, Coop Italy has collaborated with the No Cap association since 2022, promoting certified ethical and organic agricultural products grown under fair working conditions. This partnership supports dignified work opportunities, providing workers with safe housing, transport, and regular contracts, demonstrating Coop Italy’s tangible impact in fighting labour exploitation.

These examples clearly show that consumer cooperatives are not only economic actors but are driving forces for dignified, sustainable, and inclusive work, in line with SDG 8. This Labour Day, Euro Coop proudly celebrates the cooperative movement’s unwavering dedication to building a better world of work. As we mark the International Year of Cooperatives, we renew our commitment to creating employment opportunities that respect human dignity, foster participation, and contribute to sustainable development for all.