The Marche Fashion Table: a model of collaboration and support for the sector.
Reading some recent statements it would seem that nothing has been done in the Marche region in terms of supporting companies in the fashion sector. In reality there has been, for years now, a shared path which has seen the presence at the tables of representatives of the Marche Region and social forces and which has led to the drafting of documents signed by all the participants in the “Fashion Table of the Marche”. Analysis of the situation, objectives and sharing of actions to be implemented up to – to give an example – the “Occupazione Garantita 325 of 13 March 2023” tender, financed with 2.5 million euros as part of the Marche ESF PlusL regional program 2021-2027 aimed at improving access to employment for young people and the long-term unemployed. Innovation also in method.
The CISL Marche general secretary Marco Ferracuti observes: “The Marche Fashion and Supply Chain Policies Roundtable has demonstrated the effectiveness of concertation and active participation between the social partners.”
An innovative working method was developed, based on the drafting of joint documents signed by all representatives. A document was recently presented in the Marche Region to start joint training of the social partners. This project, one of a kind, is aimed at improving, intensifying and qualifying the level of industrial relations, a fundamental element for guaranteeing a sustainable future for the fashion sector and supply chain policies. Funded projects, concrete proposals on current issues to address emergencies in the fashion sector.
Proposals listed by Piero Francia, general secretary of Femca Cisl Marche: «The moratorium on financing, the extension of social safety nets, the reduction of labor costs and VAT for non-luxury fashion products. These proposals are aimed at providing timely and concrete support to companies in the sector, helping them to overcome economic difficulties and guaranteeing operational continuity. There is a need for a cultural change to face future challenges – continues Francia – the change must be based on innovation, digitalisation, ecological transition, training and aggregation».
«Investments in research and development, adoption of digital technologies, commitment to environmental sustainability, updating workers’ skills and strengthening collaboration between companies are fundamental – conclude Ferracuti and Francia. The competitiveness and resilience of the Marche fashion sector must be guaranteed; these are objectives that can be achieved with continuous collaboration with the Region, always promoting legality and good work with a system of incentives for companies that respect collective labor agreements and health and safety regulations”.
