Social Cooperatives Run by Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Also Receive Government Support Benefits

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Social cooperatives operated mainly by entrepreneurs with disabilities will be included in the scope of disabled enterprises starting this month. Through this, they will receive various policy benefits such as priority purchase of products from disabled enterprises by public institutions.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 13th that the amendment to the "Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Promotion of Activities of Disabled Enterprises," which includes social cooperatives in the scope of disabled enterprises to revitalize economic activities of persons with disabilities, has passed the Cabinet meeting.

Under the current enforcement decree, cooperatives are included in the scope of disabled enterprises, but non-profit social cooperatives operated mainly by entrepreneurs with disabilities have been excluded, leaving a blind spot in policy.

Also, while the Framework Act on Small and Medium Enterprises has included social cooperatives as SMEs since 2016, they have not been included in the scope of disabled enterprises, raising the need for legal amendments due to issues of fairness and discrimination.

With the amendment to the enforcement decree, social cooperatives will be recognized as disabled enterprises and will be able to receive various policy benefits such as priority purchase benefits from public institutions and preferential treatment when participating in government support projects like management stabilization funds.

The amended enforcement decree, which passed the Cabinet meeting, will be published in the official gazette on the 20th and will take effect immediately.

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