The European Commission has proposed to provide Belgium with €1.8 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) to help 488 workers made redundant by several manufacturers of construction machinery in the province of Hainaut (Wallonia, Belgium)...
The European Commission has proposed to provide Belgium with €1.8 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) to help 488 workers made redundant by several manufacturers of construction machinery in the province of Hainaut (Wallonia, Belgium). The aim of the funding is to help these former workers to find new jobs. 300 young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs) will also be included in the actions planned. The proposal now goes to the European Parliament and the EU's Council of Ministers for approval.
EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility Marianne Thyssen commented: "The sector of manufacturing machinery and equipment in Belgium has been hit hard by both globalisation and the economic and financial crisis. I am confident that today's decision will help to smooth the transition to new jobs or better job opportunities for 788 people and can also help them to set up their own businesses".
EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility Marianne Thyssen commented: "The sector of manufacturing machinery and equipment in Belgium has been hit hard by both globalisation and the economic and financial crisis. I am confident that today's decision will help to smooth the transition to new jobs or better job opportunities for 788 people and can also help them to set up their own businesses".
Belgium applied for support from the EGF following the redundancies in Caterpillar Belgium, Carwall S.A. (a principal supplier of cabs for Caterpillar Belgium) and Doosan S.A. The job losses were the result of major structural changes in world trade patterns due to globalisation, which has led to a decline in competitiveness and the delocalisation of substantial production capacity to non-EU countries.The measures co-financed by the EGF would help the workers and the NEETs find new jobs by providing them with active career guidance, job-search support, vocational training and retraining, promotion of entrepreneurship and contributions to collective projects. Job-search and training allowances will also be made available.
The total estimated cost of the package is €3 million, of which the EGF would provide €1.8 million.
