Tod's boss Della Valle says new anti-labor exploitation law is needed

The head of Tod's, Diego Della Valle, believes that “the next step has to be new legislation that is appropriate and adapted to our industry; 10 days are needed to determine what the problems are and what solutions to propose.” He spoke after several fashion brands, including Tod's, were placed into receivership. Tod's and three of its senior managers have been investigated by Milan prosecutors for alleged labor exploitation by some of its manufacturing subcontractors.

“If we want to solve this problem,” said Della Valle, speaking at the Tod's presentation at Milan Fashion Week, “we have to talk about it… if we want to solve it.” [it] we could do it very quickly. We have to understand that small artisans are powerless because they need the work, how can they monitor five stages in the supply chain?”

“We need to sit down and take the time to understand that small business owners are injured parties and we must protect them,” Della Valle continued. “We should not even think about talking about labor exploitation, ours is a world of decent people. [current labour] The law was introduced more than 20 years ago to combat really serious and unpleasant problems that existed at that time, especially in agricultural areas. We cannot allow people around the world to say that we do not care about the work of others, because that is not true,” he added. “Businessmen and legislators, we have the task of sitting together at a table, with the goal of drafting within a month a law that applies and protects all interested parties,” said Della Valle.

“When I invited [RAI TV programme] Report to visit our company,” said Della Valle about the recently broadcast interview, “I was happy to do it, because I wanted you to see what our companies are like, how they work locally. Companies do many things for their communities, I don't want to talk about myself, many other entrepreneurs do it. Let's show – this is what I ask – the good side [of our world] too, otherwise everything is just horrible.” Della Valle recommended that “my business friends invite local legislators to show them their companies and I'm sure we'll all make a great impression.”

“Dozens of workers have been with us for three generations, and they work with integrity and have strong personal principles because that is where they come from. My grandfather was a shoemaker, it's not like we came from the moon, it's just not part of Italian business culture to be exploitative. Often, when these things happen, those involved in the work are not even aware of them,” Della Valle concluded.