3.6.9.I-vi.9 Establishment of social cooperatives (Istituzione di cooperative sociali)
3.6.9.1. Aim
To set up social cooperatives and to promote the access of disadvantaged individuals to employment.
3.6.9.2. Legal basis
Law 381 of 8.11.1991: "Regulations for acceptance on the part of the regions, which provide for the establishment of regional directories of social cooperatives; criteria for the conclusion of agree-ments with public bodies for the management of social, health and care services and for the delivery of goods and services, financial support and incentives for the development of social cooperatives".
3.6.9.3. Contents
Social cooperatives aim to promote the social integration of citizens by, on the one hand, the management of socio-medical and education services and, on the other hand, the launch of various activities - agricultural, industrial, commercial or relating to services - aimed at integrating disadvantaged individuals into the world of work.
The disadvantaged people for whom these cooperatives are intended are physical, psychological or sensory invalids; former patients of psychiatric institutions; drug addicts; people undergoing psychiatric treatment; alcoholics; minors with a difficult family background; those convicted and sentenced to alternative punishment. These people form at least 30% of the workers in these cooperatives, of which they are associates, in as much as their condition permits this.
Public administrations may enter into agreements with social cooperatives which are registered in the regional directories, both concerning the management of social, health and care services and the delivery of goods and services. The criteria and prerequisites for the conclusion of the agree-ments are defined by the regions. These agreements must provide for actual labour market inte-gra-tion for the above categories of workers, which is to be brought about by means of ad hoc projects.
The regions fix the method of liaising between the social cooperatives and the socio-medical services, and the services for vocational training and employment promotion.
3.6.9.4. Financial resources
Social cooperatives are exempt from payment of compulsory insurance contributions for social security and assistance based on the remunerations of the disadvantaged people they employ. They also enjoy tax relief. Regional laws may provide for financial support and subsidies on the commencement of activities, for specific projects or for technical or other forms of modernisation.
3.6.9.5. Institutional support
The regions.
3.6.9.6. Duration
Unlimited.
3.6.9.7. Effects
On 31.12.1995, 2,834 (1994: 2,312) social cooperatives were registered with the Ministry of Labour (Directorate-General for Cooperation).
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