Secretary-General Daniela Piras warns from Prato: without a clear industrial policy, SMEs will not survive the global storm. “Energy, fashion and manufacturing in the balance. We need a Framework Law to defend Made in Italy”.
A silent but devastating crisis is hitting the Italian economy. To launch the alarm is Daniela Piras, general secretary of Uiltec, who during a round table in Prato – in the heart of the most important textile district of Europe – has denounced the concrete danger of a progressive deindustrialization of the country.
«In the last five years – it has asserted – is as if on Italy a perfect storm had fallen. The lack of an industrial vision, particularly on the energy front, has made us less competitive and vulnerable in global markets».
The intervention of the union leader took place in the context of the Tuscan stage of the Carovana Uil, where it was discussed the industrial crises that cross the entire country, with dramatic effects especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Piras highlighted how economic boundaries have now crossed political ones, leaving Italy without real tools to influence strategic decisions. «While we are discussing funds for European rearmament, it does not show the same creativity in supporting vital sectors such as Made in Italy», he stressed, referring to the recent proposals of the Minister of Economy Giancarlo Giorgetti.
The case of the district of Prato is emblematic. European excellence in crisis by the contraction of international demand, particularly from China, Russia and the United States, historical buyers of our fashion system. According to Piras, even with the global recovery, large groups will have resources to resist, but the real risk concerns SMEs, which may never rise again.
The message is clear: structural action is needed. «The government should adopt a framework law as soon as possible to save industrial sectors in difficulty. We can no longer afford to stand still while the productive fabric is crumbling before our eyes».
An appeal that sounds like an ultimatum. Because without industry, Italy risks losing much more than GDP: its economic and social identity.
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