In view of the weak international economy and threats from the low -price markets, the Italian fashion association and the national unions of the industry are calling for more investments that enable continuous improvement in products and processes and maintain the high level of quality that has a long time. This requirement is part of an industrial strategy for the textile and clothing industry, which was presented by the Italian fashion association Confindustria Moda and the national unions of the FEMCA-CISL, Filctem-Cgil and Uiltec Uil industry. It is part of the draft of Rome’s explanation, which was adopted at the Italian National Seminar on February 20.
Innovation, sustainability, circular economy, training and loans form the basis of the strategy
In summary, the topics of innovation, sustainability, circular economy, further education and financing form the basis for the proposals from Confindustria Moda and the National Unions Femca-Cisl, Filctem-Cgil and Uiltec-Uil, which are looking for dialogue in the community context to define an industry-specific industrial policy that is given to the Italian government and the EU Commission Consolidation and the development of the textile and clothing industry should be proposed.
As the workers’ associations emphasize, the Italian textile and clothing industry is still the most important production chain at European level, which is able to offer all world markets a wide range of products that combines Italian style and creativity with high processing quality and functionality of the refinements and materials.
The social partners of the textile and clothing sector want to protect the sector
“All of this is made possible by the presence of a huge network of companies in the country that are also organized in historical industrial areas, but have been able to renew themselves over time and cover all production phases of the textile, clothing and fashion industry: around 40,000 companies (60 million if one includes the other fashion industry), from large international brands to medium-sized industrial companies to the individual Phases of the production process specialize. Around 400,000 direct employees (580,000 in the fashion sector as a whole). An annual turnover of around 64 billion euros, which is largely due to exports to all international markets, ”says a message from the Femca-Cisl, Filctem-Cgil and Uiltec Uil unions.
Of course, according to the associations in the draft of Rome’s explanation, “these top positions are not secured forever”. Strategies, investments, renewal and innovation come into play here.
“In addition, the Italian textile and clothing industry, together with the European, faces a large transformation that will influence both companies and the employees: inside, products and the production methods. The textile industry is the second largest industry in relation to pollutant emissions, especially with regard to CO2 emissions, which add the environmental effects of water use and the use of chemicals. The strategy of the EU, which has already specified the right course with the Green Deal, aims to ensure that textile and clothing products that are introduced on the EU market are durable, reusable, repairable and recyclable by 2030 and the sector passes from a linear business to a circular business model, ”says the communication.
The social partners of the textile and clothing sector therefore agree on their efforts to protect the sector and to ensure a successful transition from Italian industry to an ecologically and socially sustainable dimension. At the same time, it should be ensured that the sector remains economically competitive and resistant and can continue to guarantee good jobs in any respect.
Inclusion of employees: Inside in the redesign of the production processes
“In order to achieve all of this, we consider it important to intensify the dialogue between the social partners and the direct involvement of employees: to promote the redesign of the new production process inside, starting with joint reporting on sustainability, in which the commitment to real sustainable development of the company is presented.”
The “Stitch Together” project financed by the EU represents a further stage of long-term cooperation, in which the development of strategies for industrial development and social progress, the strengthening of the representativity of employer and employee associations, the development of skills and skills as well as the spread of social dialogue and the tariff negotiations between the national level of employer and employee associations The focus was on and which are to be applied along the entire value chain.
In particular, the participating social partners at the Italian National Seminar on February 19 and 20, 2025 in Rome agreed to work together to work on a successful green and digital change in the industry, to take advantage of the growth opportunities and to ensure a socially just transition that creates decent work for everyone.
The joint engagement also aims to create a common document with priority proposals for the definition of a reputable industrial policy that is to be presented to the Italian government in order to implement a coordinated strategy to support and develop the industry on the central issues of competitiveness: innovation, sustainability, circulatory economy, training, financing. This in the context and in accordance with the new transition path pre -drawn at European level.
The joint commitment also aims to create a common document with priority proposals for the determination of a serious industrial policy in a short time to implement the Italian state in order to implement a coordinated strategy for support and development of the sector with regard to the central topics of competitiveness: innovation, sustainability, circular economy, training, loan. This is done in the context and in accordance with the new transition path, which was set at the European level.
The joint demand to the government and the European Union, “the impending change of the textile and clothing industry, technological and competence development, regional development and the fair transition” to support both administratively and financially.
Unions: “Support in the Greens and Digital Transformation through Guidelines of the European Union”
“The textile and clothing industry is in an extremely sensitive phase. In addition to the effects of global competition, it faces the double challenge of the Greens and digital transformation. It is one of the European economy: In 2023, sales of Eurostat were 170 billion euros, with 1.3 million employees in 197,000 companies, especially small and small companies. In order to support the fashion industry, a solid, widespread and homogeneous social dialogue in the Union countries that aim at a strong EU textile strategy and ensures the determined implementation of the European guidelines, ”write the secretariats of the Filctem CGIL, FEMCA CISL and Uiltec Uil unions to the common project “StitchTogether”, which is promoted by industrialall and Euratex to a social dialogue.
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