Crafts, Orsini: ‘Trade associations must not defend their own interests at the expense of workers and businesses’

Italian industrialists have a deep respect for the world of craftsmanship. Many of us were born into families of craftspeople, and a great many of our companies work alongside extraordinary craft businesses on a daily basis. It is precisely for this reason that we do not accept the value of craftsmanship being distorted for the sake of political representation.

There is also another issue to which I wish to draw the attention of craft trade associations in the strongest possible terms. Many of our industrial firms produce goods using craftsmanship of the very highest standard. I am thinking of the fashion, leather goods and luxury goods sectors, where Italian know-how, manual skill and artisan expertise represent an extraordinary heritage and a fundamental element of our global competitiveness.

We cannot accept the paradox whereby businesses with industrial characteristics are expected to become craft enterprises, whilst at the same time industrial businesses are prevented from promoting and highlighting the craftsmanship involved in the manufacture of their products.

A handcrafted product is not necessarily made by a business classified as an artisan enterprise. The quality of the workmanship, the skill of the craftspeople and the value of the product do not depend on the business’s legal classification. No association can claim exclusive ownership of the concept of craftsmanship, which is rooted in the history, culture and excellence of Italian manufacturing as a whole.

We will be just as resolute on this point: we will defend the right of our businesses to promote their authentic craftsmanship, whilst complying with consumer protection regulations, because defending ‘Made in Italy’ means defending those who produce quality, regardless of the size of the business or the trade association that represents it.

We call on the Government to continue the constructive dialogue we have always maintained, with the shared aim of supporting economic growth, strengthening the productive sector and safeguarding jobs.

We call on craft trade associations, however, to face up to their responsibilities and to stop presenting what risks becoming a battle to expand their own representative power as a battle on behalf of businesses.

Our position is simple: the same business, the same rights for workers, the same social security obligations and the same competition rules.

Confindustria will continue to defend these principles in every forum, using all the means at its disposal. We are not prepared to back down one millimetre when fairness, the future of our businesses and the rights of Italian workers are at stake.”