The International Labour Organization (ILO) has recently published a series of reports mapping and analyzing the landscape of the social and solidarity economy (SSE) in Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan, highlighting the importance of this economic approach as a driver for decent work, social inclusion, and sustainable development.
In the case of Vietnam, the ILO presents a document examining the territory and characteristics of SSE in the country, emphasizing how this concept closely aligns with the local notion of collective economy, which includes cooperatives, credit funds, and other community initiatives. The report stresses the contribution of these entities to the creation of quality jobs, especially for vulnerable groups, and the importance of establishing robust legal and institutional frameworks to maximize their economic and social impact. Among the recommendations is the need to strengthen public policies that support the formalization, sustainability, and visibility of these organizations within the national economy.
Similarly, the report on Thailand provides a detailed look at the SSE ecosystem in the country, where cooperatives, community enterprises, savings groups, and mutuals play an increasing role. The analysis highlights the contribution of these entities to the generation of decent employment, social cohesion, and the reduction of inequalities, while also identifying key challenges such as fragmented regulatory frameworks and a lack of coordination between government agencies and civil society actors. This document calls for strengthened cooperation between the state, employers, and workers’ organizations to create more coherent policies that support the development of SSE.
In Japan, the publication ‘Decent Work and the Social and Solidarity Economy’ brings together dialogues with various stakeholders—including government representatives, academics, and SSE organizations—to explore how the social and solidarity economy is experienced and perceived in the country. The study emphasizes Japan’s tradition of community cooperation and mutualism, while also identifying challenges such as fragmented legal frameworks and a still limited public perception of SSE’s potential. It highlights the need to recognize these organizations as key economic actors and to design policies that increase their impact in terms of decent work, social inclusion, and innovative solutions to socio-economic problems.
Improving SSE Policies in Asia
The reports are part of the ILO’s broader effort to strengthen understanding and public policy design for SSE, framed within its Strengthening Social and Solidarity Economy Policy in Asia project, which seeks to facilitate dialogues among governments, employers’ organizations, trade unions, and community entities to integrate SSE into national development strategies.
Taken together, the publications reflect a shared vision: the social and solidarity economy not only contributes to generating decent employment and social inclusion, but can also be a key tool to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and build more just, participatory, and resilient economies in the face of global challenges such as inequality, labor informality, geopolitical crises, and climate change.
Mapping the social and solidarity economy in Viet Nam | International Labour Organization
Mapping the social and solidarity economy in Thailand | International Labour Organization
