Hot Autumn, Mazzetti: "About thirty ongoing crises. 2,500 workers are affected."

Bologna, September 18, 2025 – “All the conditions are in place to resolve the Yoox dispute . Our position is clear : real negotiations are needed. The company's rigidity regarding layoffs makes discussions difficult, but there is room for a solution. The LuxExperience group has a turnover of hundreds of millions of euros and is listed on the stock exchange...” Stefano Mazzetti (Italia Viva) , Chief of Staff of the Metropolitan City with responsibility for Labor for the Municipality, has been dealing with corporate crises in the Region for years. And, starting with Yoox , he paints a negative picture of the situation in our region.

Mazzetti, what do you expect for Yoox and the other ongoing disputes?

" For Yoox, we're waiting until September 23rd , when the meeting is scheduled at the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy. There, we'll bring the request to open negotiations on equal terms, without the 'smoking gun' of layoffs on the table. But Yoox isn't the only one we're worried about..."

From your observatory, should we expect a warm autumn?

"Yes. We have 28 crisis management tables for medium-large companies in Bologna and the surrounding province, involving 2,500 workers. These are significant numbers. And worrying..."

So thirty or so companies are at risk?

"Yes. We're talking about 28 different disputes, though. These discussions involve companies with ongoing crises (like Yoox), others closing down (like La Perla), and still others where an agreement has been reached but needs to be monitored. Let's say that of the 2,500 workers cited, at least half are directly involved in layoffs, risk of redundancies, and other issues."

Which sectors are most affected?

“The automotive industry (think of Marelli) and then mechanics, textiles (La Perla), electricals and coffee”.

What kind of solutions are you studying?

"I'm thinking of reconvening the 'Recovery Roundtable' in the Metropolitan City. Alongside the existing crisis roundtables, the idea is to use a tool that isn't just about emergencies, but rather a space for ongoing dialogue between institutions, unions, and social partners to read the signs of a crisis early and, therefore, prevent the worst before having to 'cure' it."

So the 'Recovery Table' is convened only in, let's say, exceptional cases?

We can't just act when disputes are already ongoing. We must work to avoid them. Let's not forget that there are also international tariffs: we're not yet aware of their effects, but the potential repercussions on Bologna's manufacturing industry will soon be felt. This requires a vision that combines managing the difficulties with the growth opportunities that many companies are still exploiting.

Are you afraid that the Emilia-Romagna locomotive will stop running?

"The locomotive hasn't stopped. But it's moving uphill. Also because, beyond Yoox, we're seeing an increase in cases where companies make unilateral decisions that affect workers. But here, top-down decisions are outside the Bologna model."

Why has this model become more widespread than in the past?

"We're dealing with companies based in other countries. They're unfamiliar with our model and rely solely on a legal approach, neglecting the ethical and social aspects of the problem. It doesn't work that way here: decisions aren't imposed from above, but are made jointly."