Biography

Luigi Sbarra, born in Pazzano (Reggio Calabria) in 1960, is a seasoned trade unionist who, since June 12, 2025, has served as Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers with responsibility for Policies for the South.

Trade Union Commitment

Luigi Sbarra served as General Secretary of CISL from March 3, 2021, to February 12, 2025—a position he reached after a long career dedicated to trade unionism. His rise within CISL began at the local and regional levels. After leading the CISL branch in Locri, he took charge of the provincial federation of Reggio Calabria. His commitment then led him to become General Secretary of CISL Calabria in 2000. In 2009, his path took a national turn when he joined the confederal secretariat of CISL. Later, in 2016, he was elected General Secretary of FAI-CISL, the federation representing workers in the agricultural, food, forestry, fishing, and tobacco sectors.

Leadership in CISL

On March 28, 2018, Sbarra became Deputy General Secretary of CISL. On March 3, 2021, he assumed full leadership of the union, a role in which he was unanimously re-elected on May 28, 2022. During his tenure, Sbarra promoted a pragmatic and constructive approach in dialogue with institutions and social partners, emphasizing national and decentralized bargaining, concertation, and participation. Among his most significant initiatives was the popular legislative proposal to implement Article 46 of the Constitution, which recognizes workers’ right to participate in the management of enterprises. The initiative gathered over 400,000 signatures and introduced concrete tools for managerial, economic, organizational, and consultative participation in companies, aiming to build a new model of industrial relations. On December 29, 2024, he announced his retirement upon reaching the age of 65; on February 12, 2025, he officially stepped down from the leadership of CISL in accordance with statutory age limits.

Government Appointment

On June 12, 2025, he was appointed Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers with responsibility for Policies for the South; on the same day, he was sworn in as an “independent” figure.