Tod's Fights Back Against Exploitation Claims After Legal Victory

Luxury fashion group Tod’s has secured a significant legal victory in Italy’s Court of Cassation, which rejected prosecutor Paolo Storari’s attempt to place the company under special administration due to allegations of unlawful labour exploitation. Despite this win, the Milan Prosecutor’s Office is pressing forward with its investigation. The office has officially entered Tod’s and three of its managers into the register of persons under investigation and is seeking a six-month ban on the company's product advertising.

In immediate response, the Della Valle-owned company issued a statement, drawing attention to the “worrying timing” of prosecutor Storari’s actions. Tod’s affirmed it is calmly reviewing the additional material submitted, having noted the Court of Cassation’s rejection of Storari's requests and appeal. The company reiterated its strong commitment, stating, "our group is often considered a model of conduct and has always given the utmost consideration to the health and quality of life of its employees," highlighting its global workforce of over 5,000 individuals.

Beyond addressing the specific allegations, Tod’s emphasized the broader need for a stable operational environment for businesses. The company asserted the necessity of establishing clear rules that allow companies to operate with peace of mind, alongside a rigorous system of controls to safeguard both quality and the dignity of labour. This framework, Tod’s argued, is crucial for protecting the global reputation of "Made in Italy" and preventing doubts that could negatively impact consumer confidence.

In this context, Tod’s extended an open invitation to magistrates to visit its factories and those of other Italian companies. The objective is to allow them to observe firsthand the excellent quality of the workplaces and working conditions. The company vehemently rejected the theory that Italian luxury firms sell expensive products while underpaying employees, branding it as unfounded and causing "serious harm to our national system."

Concluding its statement, Tod’s acknowledged the potential dismay its employees might feel when encountering such unfounded reports. The company took the opportunity to reaffirm its full confidence in its workforce, praising them for their excellent contributions to the Group’s ongoing success.