Innovation, sustainability, circularity, training, and credit are the core proposals of Confindustria Moda and the national trade unions Femca-Cisl, Filctem-Cgil, and Uiltec-Uil in their joint efforts to establish a strategic industrial policy for the textile and clothing sector. Their objective is to present a consolidated strategy to the Italian Government and the European Commission, aimed at strengthening and advancing the industry within the European context.

Italy’s textile and clothing sector remains the most significant value chain in Europe, offering global markets a diverse range of products that blend Italian style and creativity with high-quality craftsmanship and functional materials. This industry thrives due to a vast network of companies, including large international brands, medium-sized supply chain firms, and specialised SMEs, operating across all phases of textile, clothing, and fashion production.

The sector comprises approximately 40,000 companies, rising to 60,000 when including the broader fashion industry, and employs around 400,000 people directly, or 580,000 across the entire fashion sector. It generates an annual turnover of approximately €64 billion, with a substantial portion derived from exports.

However, maintaining these achievements requires ongoing investment in innovation and quality to adapt to a rapidly changing global landscape. The post-pandemic economic climate presents new challenges, compounded by geopolitical uncertainties and the rapid pace of technological and digital transformation. Moreover, competition from low-cost markets threatens the industry's stability.

The Italian and European textile industries are set for a major transformation, affecting companies, workers, products, and production methods. The sector is the second-largest contributor to CO2 emissions, alongside significant environmental impacts from water and chemical use. The EU’s Green Deal strategy aims to ensure that by 2030, all textile and clothing products placed on the EU market will be durable, reusable, repairable, and recyclable. This shift from a linear to a circular business model aligns with the EU’s commitment to green and digital transitions while maintaining competitiveness on the global stage.

To address these challenges, the textile and clothing sector’s social partners are committed to securing a sustainable transition that balances environmental responsibility with economic resilience and job security. This involves fostering social dialogue and engaging workers in the transformation process, including sharing sustainability reports that outline corporate commitments to true sustainable development.

The EU-funded "Stitch Together" project is central to this effort, focusing on long-term industrial and social progress. It promotes cooperation among employers’ and workers’ associations, skill development, and the expansion of collective bargaining across the supply chain.

During the Italian national seminar from 19-20 February 2025 in Rome, key industry and union representatives agreed on several commitments:

-Collaborating to achieve a successful green and digital transformation of the sector, ensuring a socially just transition that generates quality employment opportunities.

-Defining a joint proposal for a strategic industrial policy, to be submitted to the Italian Government, covering innovation, sustainability, circularity, training, and credit, in alignment with the European transition framework.

-Partnering with institutions, schools, and training organisations to attract and prepare young workers for the sector, as well as to upskill current employees through initiatives such as the EU TCLF Pact for Skills.

-Promoting legal and ethical labour practices throughout the supply chain, adhering to European regulations and principles of responsible trade and due diligence.

-Calling on the Italian Government and the EU to support the sector’s transformation through financial and managerial assistance, skills development, regional investment, and a just transition framework.

-Engaging in European-level social dialogue to facilitate a lasting and effective industry-wide transformation.

These collective commitments underline the determination of Italian textile and clothing industry stakeholders to navigate the sector towards a more sustainable and innovative future.

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