La Perla’s new chapter begins as it rehires employees to La Perla Atelier

All La Perla employees will be rehired by La Perla Atelier, a company controlled by Luxury Holding, owned by American billionaire and former Expedia CEO Peter Kern. With the signing of the final contracts, the ‘Le Perline’ return to the company’s luxury lingerie facility in Bologna, Italy. The news was announced in a statement by Filctem-Cgil Bologna and Uiltec-Uil Emilia-Romagna and Bologna.

This brings to a close a dispute lasting more than two years, marked by uncertainty and sacrifice. As the unions recall, the case wound its way through ministries, institutional chambers, and the European Parliament in Brussels. “The workers have defended not only their jobs but the dignity of an ancient, irreplaceable craft,” said Filctem and Uiltec.

“While the fashion supply chain is marred by cases of exploitation and irregular work,” the two unions further note, “La Perla stands as the counter-example: it shows that quality can be achieved while respecting people, rights, and wages.”

The signing of the contracts now ushers in the relaunch phase. “The new group inherits unique human capital, capable of creating value with every single seam,” the unions conclude, thanking the workforce and the institutions that supported the dispute.

Saving La Perla had seemed an “impossible” challenge; yet in the end, with the return to the company of all employees, rehired by La Perla Atelier, a company controlled by Luxury Holding of American billionaire Peter Kern, the government has “honoured every commitment.” Thus, in a statement, the Minister for Business and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, comments on the conclusion of the Bologna-based lingerie manufacturer’s saga.

“The signing of the contracts and the return to the company of all La Perla workers,” he notes, “bring to a close a long and complex dispute, which Mimit has followed from the very first moment with great care and a sense of responsibility. We have honoured every commitment, bringing to fruition a battle that seemed impossible and restoring an industrial and employment future to this global icon of Made in Italy fashion,” Urso concludes.