Social partners
Social dialogue in the EU footwear sector covers activities defined by NACE (Rev. 2), code 15.2.0 (footwear manufacture).
Employment in this sector varies between 343 000 (Eurostat, 2014 Labour Force Survey) and 290 000 people, depending on how the sector is demarcated. They are employed in about 20 000 companies (Eurostat, 2013 Business Statistics).
Micro and small businesses (under 250 people) account for almost 95% of the sector.
The EU's competitive advantages lie in the high quality of production in technical, design and fashion-related terms and the development of sought-after brands with a strong image.
The footwear sector is being restructured due to the globalisation of markets, deregulation, trade liberalisation and technological change. Company numbers fell rapidly in 2008 and 2009 and less rapidly between 2010 and 2013. Job numbers have not changed substantially between 2011 and 2013, despite Europe's high unemployment rates.
Workers' organisations
Employers' organisations
Key areas
The Committee is currently focusing on:
- re-launch of the social dialogue at EU level
- skills & qualifications
- making the sector attractive to the young
- opening of strategic international markets on a level playing field and other trade developments
- action plan for fashion & high-end industries
- EU Flagship initiative on responsible management of the supply chain of the garment sector.
Activities & meetings
Check the library entries for this sectoral social dialogue committee.
Achievements/Joint texts
Check the social dialogue texts database