This follows a meeting in Rome on 19-20 February 2025, where social partners from the Italian textile and fashion sectors gathered to discuss the impact of upcoming EU legislation and the next steps in enhancing social dialogue. 

The declaration underscores the commitment of industry representatives—including Confindustria Moda, national trade unions (Femca-Cisl, Filctem-Cgil, and Uiltec-Uil), regional clusters, and companies—to work together for the development and consolidation of the textile supply chain.  

Additionally, it calls for the creation of a sectoral industrial policy strategy to present to both the Italian Government and the EU Commission. 

Key actions agreed at the Italian national seminar:  

• Collaborating to ensure a successful green and digital transformation, seizing growth opportunities while ensuring a socially just transition with quality jobs. 

• Swiftly creating a joint document with priority proposals for a robust industrial policy to present to the Italian Government, focusing on competitiveness through innovation, sustainability, circularity, training, and credit, aligned with European transition goals. 

• Partnering with national institutions, local schools, and accredited training bodies to guide and train young people, foster continuous learning, and retrain current workers with the support of the EU TCLF Pact for Skills. 

• Promoting legality and decent work across global supply chains, adhering to European standards for responsible trade and due diligence. 

• Requesting governmental and EU support for the textile industry’s transformation, including technological upgrades, skills development, regional growth, and a just transition. 

• Reinforcing commitment to European social dialogue to ensure effective, long-term sectoral change. 

IndustriAll Europe general secretary Judith Kirton-Darling said: “The Italian textile industry employs around 300,000 workers, or 24% of the European workforce in the textile and clothing sector, making it the largest in Europe. In a context of numerous challenges for the European textile industry, such as unfair globalization, green and digital transition, social dialogue is a real lever for improving working conditions and job security. We are committed alongside our Italian partners to a resilient and attractive textile industry in Italy.” 

EURATEX director general Dirk Vantyghem said: “Italy represents 36% of the total European textile and fashion industry; it is critically important therefore to maintain a strong Italian textile industry. Combining quality, creativity and innovation is the recipe for success. This requires a dynamic company spirit, where employers and employees work hand in hand.”