Policy Discussions on Social Solidarity Economy by Policymakers from 6 Asian Countries

'Asia Socioeconomic Solidarity Online Workshop' from 29th to 31st
38 experts including policy officials from 6 Asian countries attend
Discussion on COVID-19 crisis and opportunities, regional jobs, etc.

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The government will discuss measures to revitalize the social solidarity economy in Asia together with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Asian policymakers. The government believes that discussion is necessary as there is a consensus that social issues such as the wealth gap are difficult to overcome through capital-driven growth even after COVID-19.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced that it will hold the "Asia Social Solidarity Economy Expert Policy Capacity Building Online Workshop" from the 29th to the 31st. The workshop is a project conducted until this year under the joint agreement signed by the ILO and the Ministry of Employment in September 2019. It discusses the creation of quality jobs and the importance of the social solidarity economy. It conducts comparative research on the organizational landscape of the social solidarity economy among six Asian countries and promotes international academic conferences and expert workshops.

The workshop will be attended by 38 experts, including policy officials from six Asian countries: Korea, China, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Based on demand surveys by country, session topics such as "COVID-19 Crisis and Opportunities," "Informal Economy Sector," and "Good Jobs in the Region" were set. Over three days, presentations and discussions of research results by Seoul National University researchers, case presentations from each country, online field visits, and action planning will be conducted. A Ministry of Employment official said, "In the case of the Philippines, consultations on revising laws related to the social solidarity economy at the national level are underway, and we will share Korea’s experience in enacting the Social Enterprise Promotion Act."

On the first day of the workshop, the team led by Professor Kim Eui-young of Seoul National University will present the "Comparative Study of the Social Solidarity Economy in Six Asian Countries." On the second day, issues such as difficulties faced by domestic workers and gender and age issues will be discussed. On the third day, tailored policy agenda development by country and strategies for problem-solving through cooperation will be discussed. Kim Young-jung, Director of Employment Policy at the Ministry of Employment, said, "The social solidarity economy is gaining attention as a means to overcome the limitations of capital-driven growth such as wealth disparity, urbanization, and environmental pollution," adding, "We hope that the scope of social solidarity economy activities will expand throughout the Asian community through this workshop."

Participants in the online workshop will continue to share policy experiences and information through the ILO Social Solidarity Economy Learning Community.

Branding of the Asia Social Solidarity Economy Policy Capacity Building Workshop. (Source: Ministry of Employment and Labor)

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