Worker cooperatives with particular reference to Malta: An educationist’s theory and practice

The issue of worker cooperation remains at the top of the agenda for workplace organization today, although the history of worker (or producer) cooperatives is littered with failures. Yet, despite the glaring and disappointing evidence, the establishment of cooperative forms of work organization continues unabated; indeed it has gathered momentum over the last few years, in both industrialized and industrializing economies. These initiatives have been forthcoming from a motley band of proponents: on the one hand, government officials, economic planners, trade unionists and management consultants have shown themselves disposed to finance, advise or even create worker cooperatives from above. On the other hand, an even more diverse collection of underprivileged groups or individuals is striving to preserve employment or otherwise hoping to fashion for themselves a more meaningful work environment.