Employee ownership in Spain: worker cooperatives and sociedades laborales

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to describe the main characteristics of het two most recognised models in Spain: worker cooperatives and worker-owned companies (Sociedades Laborales).Design/methodology/approachTo this end, a review will be carried out of the main factors from the regulatory and financial framework and the support structures of these organisations model.FindingsThe main findings are the constant decrease in the number of SSLL over the past ten years and a certain decrease in the number of worker cooperatives. Some of the reasons put forward for this decline are the lack of effective favourable tax treatment; the establishment of more favourable measures for capitalist companies; the change of the single payment of unemployment benefits; the lack of knowledge and training professionals and politicians.Originality/valueThe main contribution of this paper is to provide a recent analysis of the regulatory changes and developments in the field of worker cooperatives and worker-owned companies in Spain.