Brussels (Eurotoday) – EU Parliament approved aid worth €700,000 to help 632 dismissed workers in Belgium.
The European Parliament Committee on Budgets endorsed Belgium’s request for €704,135 in EU support through the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF). The aid will help 632 former workers from machinery and paper companies Purmo and Sappi in the Flemish region of Limburg.
As reported by EU Parliament Press, MEPs stated that the profiles of the displaced employees, one-third of which are aged 55 years or more and 30 % with low education, translate into extreme barriers in the labour market.
What caused the layoffs at the Sappi and Purmo plants?
Both Sappi Lanaken and Purmo Group had to expel employees due to dropping demand for their products and economic difficulties. Sappi Lanaken shut its plant because digitalization decreased the need for woodfree coated paper and shifting production was too expensive, while Purmo Group’s Zonhoven plant stopped production due to a 60% reduction in panel radiator demand, higher operational expenses, and unfavorable market conditions affected by the war in Ukraine and EU ruling favoring alternative heating systems.
How will the €700,000 EU aid help displaced workers?
According to the EU Parliament, the EGF funding will assist in paying for counseling and vocational orientation, job search allowances, as well as skills activity in vocational, digital, and language skills. The total calculated cost of these actions is €1.2 million, with 60% (€700,000) spent by the EGF and the remaining 40% (€500,000) funded by the Flemish Employment and Vocational Training Service (VDAB).
What role does the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund play?
Moreover, under the EGF regulation 2021-2027, the Fund helps displaced employees and self-employed people who have lost their activity due to unexpected significant restructuring events. Since 2007, the EGF has assigned €696 million in 180 cases, providing support to more than 169,000 people in 20 Member States. EGF-supported efforts complement national active labour market measures.
Comments
5 responses to “EU Parliament Approves €700,000 Aid Package for Displaced Workers in Belgium”
-
Ah, €700,000 for 632 displaced workers in Belgium—because nothing says “we care” quite like tossing a few coins into a fountain while the real heavy lifting of job creation clearly remains a job for the next EU committee meeting, right?
-
Ah, the EU Parliament has graciously approved a whopping €700,000 to help 632 Belgian workers displaced by the whims of digitalization and market trends—because who needs a stable career when you’ve got a charmingly bureaucratic safety net to fall back on, right?
-
Ah, nothing like a €700,000 aid package for 632 displaced workers in Belgium to remind us that in the EU, even the crumbs of compassion come with a side of bureaucratic theatrics—because what’s more reassuring than an EU safety net that’s frayed at the edges and still costs more than your average Belgian waffle?
-
Ah, €700,000 to help 632 workers find new careers in Belgium—because nothing says “let them eat cake” quite like a bureaucratic band-aid on a digital age bullet wound!
-
Ah, the EU Parliament’s generous €700,000 gift to help 632 displaced workers in Belgium—because nothing says “compassionate governance” like a financial band-aid for a gaping wound in the job market, eh?
Last News
India Budget Addresses Price Risks with RBI Inflation Outlook in Focus
New Delhi, July 26 Eurotoday Newspaper — RBI inflation outlook remained under close watch after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Union Budget includes adequate buffers to absorb inflation risks while maintaining India’s growth trajectory. The remarks come as policymakers monitor food prices, global energy costs and international economic uncertainty that could affect inflation in the
Zelenskyy claims Russia seeks 30,000 additional troops from North Korea
“Russia is aiding North Korea in learning warfare, enhancing its weapons, and acquiring pr
Cats Utilized as Living Torches for Arson
Domenico Costarella of the local Civil Protection Agency stated that the cats ran, spread
Institutional Investing Spotlight: LSEG Lipper Analyzes Fixed-Income Fund Flow Data
London, July 25 Eurotoday Newspaper — Institutional investing is under close attention after LSEG’s Lipper division launched a review into a transaction that affected its fixed-income fund flow data. The company is examining whether an unusually large movement reflected genuine investor activity or an operational event. The review comes after preliminary figures suggested record weekly outflows
Berlin pride parade attack results in 1 dead, 16 injured
A photo from the German tabloid Bild showed a white van with a damaged hood. According to regional media, the man drove the van into a crowd on a path in Tiergarten park.
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz denounced the attack. Wegner wrote on X: “It
The CIA’s Spy Cat: The Most Expensive Failure of the Cold War
Operation Acoustic Kitten was a real, documented CIA project, confirmed by declassified
DeepSeek Halts Fundraising Talks Amid AI Investment Market Scrutiny
Hangzhou, China, July 25 Eurotoday Newspaper — AI startup funding is under renewed attention after Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek reportedly paused discussions with prospective investors during its latest fundraising round. According to Bloomberg News, the company informed potential backers that negotiations have been put on hold for now. Reuters said it could not independently
Volkswagen Replaces Lawnmowers with 100 Sheep at Polish Solar Park
The sheep manage the grasslands, aid in scientific research, and enhance biodiversity,
NATO Intern Detained for Espionage Suspicions
The intern, a Canadian of Chinese descent, “had come to the attention” of SHAPE’s securit
US-India Bilateral Trade in Spotlight Amid Ongoing Talks Post New US Tariffs
New Delhi, July 25 Eurotoday Newspaper — US India bilateral trade remains on the diplomatic agenda after India confirmed it will continue discussions with the United States following the introduction of new US tariff measures. The Indian government said negotiations toward a broader trade agreement will continue despite the latest trade restrictions.
India Maintains Trade Negotiations with US
In
Leave a Reply