Impact of Worker Cooperatives as Opportunity Distributors and Change Drivers: a Study on Kerala Dinesh Beedi Workers' Central Co-Operative Society

Abstract

This paper explores the transformative role of worker cooperatives in rural South India as drivers of inclusive employment and regional social upliftment. Worker cooperatives, built on principles of democratic ownership, equitable profit sharing, and community welfare, present an alternative to traditional capitalist enterprise models. The study focuses on four diverse cooperatives,  ULCCS, Kerala Dinesh BWCCS, MYRADA-MEADOW, and Sahakara Sarige, formed through varied social, governmental, and grassroots interventions. Using a qualitative, case-based methodology combining cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, the research investigates how these cooperatives have created sustainable livelihoods and enhanced social capital. Findings suggest that beyond employment generation, these cooperatives serve as opportunity distributors, contributing to skill development, gender inclusion, and social cohesion. The study highlights the need to recognize worker cooperatives not merely as economic units but as catalysts for community-driven development, especially relevant for India's large informal and rural workforce.

Keywords: Social Economy, Rural Employment, Inclusive Development, South India, Sustainable Livelihoods, Solidarity Economy, Worker Co-operatives