Abstract
The research aimed to analyze the history of work cooperatives, to verify the importance of external actors in this process and to understand the work trajectory of the associates and their access in the cooperatives. A qualitative research was carried out through interviews with 24 associates from three solidarity economy enterprises: an association of recyclable material collectors, a seamstress cooperative and a cashew nut producer cooperative. The results showed that the groups were helped externally at the beginning of the projects. The work trajectory of the associates presented, in general, similar aspects, such as job insecurity, informality and scarcity of work alternatives. It can be concluded that the enterprises represent a form of social insertion because they constitute spaces to offer work to people who, for historical, geographic, social or cultural reasons, were far from the formal labor market.
Keywords:
Cooperativism; Workers' association; Solidarity economy enterprises; Work; Work trajectory