Care cooperatives in Uruguay, Argentina and Chile; a look at their hinderers and opportunities to achieve development

Abstract

This article presents an exploratory study on the factors that bolster care cooperatives in Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile. These voluntary organizations are founded on the concept of "decent work," aiming to provide solutions for labor formalization, economic aspirations, and the growing demand for care services within the population. However, despite their objectives, these cooperatives often encounter barriers related to gender equity, labor market dynamics, and welfare conditions that hinder their alignment with these ideals. This situation opens the next research question: What are the conditions under which care cooperatives are established in Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile? To work on the question proposed our general objective is to explore the experiences and perceptions of individuals associated with the world of care cooperatives. To investigate these dynamics, we conducted 16 semi-structured electronic interviews in Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile, utilizing a snowball sampling approach. These interviews delved into the primary hinderers and facilitators influencing the development of these cooperative initiatives. Our findings underscore the diverse challenges faced by care cooperatives, including those associated with gender-related issues, a lack of expertise, and the essential need for both public and private support. The achievement of this article is to establish a platform for dialogue surrounding care cooperatives within the Southern Cone of Latin America. We shed light on the imperative for formalization and the complex issues that arise when attempting to meet the burgeoning demand for care services in the region.