Cooperativismo e Economia Solidária: um estudo de caso junto à Cooperativa de Badameiros de Feira de Santana- COOBAFS

Abstract

The growth of unemployment, together with the changes in the labor market and their own economic organization in Brazil and worldwide, is triggering a strong process of expansion of new forms of work and production organization. The Solidarity Economy has been widely presented and discussed, both in academia and in the institutional environment, as a possible alternative to unemployment and job insecurity, and have the cooperative movement as an important tool in this process. The cooperative garbage collectors, like other members, working for the same ideals and united by the same goals, directing its activities to meet their personal and financial needs, and the appreciation of the work. In this sense, the objective of this study is to discuss the role of labor unions in promoting solidarity economy, from a case study conducted by the Badameiros Cooperative of Feira de Santana (COOBAFS), identifying that economic and social benefits this organization provided to their members. An analytical survey was conducted, conducted in the form of a case study with a qualitative approach. The results showed that the initiative despite facing problems related to the absence of external supporters and local government, has managed to maintain its continuity over time, fairly ensuring the survival of its members which, in most cases, receive monthly up to one minimum wage They are women and have not finished elementary level. It is concluded that the initiative has contributed to enable the withdrawal of its public economic marginalization and precarious spaces and working conditions, but still need to take significant steps to ensure that these better quality of living conditions and health, which It could be solved if there were in the local community, effective support from public authorities, in promoting solidarity economy, through projects that congregassem support to recyclers, which reveal a niche market to be explored in the city, reserved for political neglect