EU Parliament Approves €700,000 Aid Package for Displaced Workers in Belgium

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”

  1. the beekeeper Avatar
    the beekeeper

    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?

  2. Golden Cougar Avatar
    Golden Cougar

    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?

  3. Sassy Muffin Avatar
    Sassy Muffin

    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?

  4. The Happy Jock Avatar
    The Happy Jock

    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!

  5. Street Squirrel Avatar
    Street Squirrel

    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?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

Keiko Fujimori’s Cabinet Takes Shape with Key Ministerial Appointments in Peru

Keiko Fujimori’s Cabinet Takes Shape with Key Ministerial Appointments in Peru

Lima, July 27 Eurotoday Newspaper — Keiko Fujimori cabinet appointments have begun taking shape after Peru’s president-elect announced the first senior ministers who will join her incoming administration. The appointments, made ahead of Tuesday’s inauguration, include Luis Galarreta as Prime Minister, Elmer Cuba as Economy Minister and Carlos Espa as Foreign Minister. The selections provide an e

Read More

Brussels Provides Clarity on State Aid for Social Investment

Brussels Provides Clarity on State Aid for Social Investment

New Commission guidance frames subsidy control as a tool for housing, care, skills and clean public services
The European Commission has clarified how EU State aid rules can support social and public-interest investments, ensuring that subsidy control doesn’t hinder housing, care, training, or clean infrastructure if support is targeted and transparent.
The guidance, announced in Brussels

Read More

Trump Rekindles Tariff Dispute

Trump Rekindles Tariff Dispute

Icelanders are voting on whether to restart accession talks with the European Union, reopening a debate influenced by security concerns, economic uncertainty, and the question of who controls the country’s fishing waters.
Zoya Sheftalovich and Kathryn Carlson also examine Donald Trump’s threat of new tariffs following the EU’s €890 million fine on Google, and its potential impact on the fragile Tu

Read More

Donald Trump Pardon Update: Hernández Returns to Honduras Following U.S. Clemency

Donald Trump Pardon Update: Hernández Returns to Honduras Following U.S. Clemency

Tegucigalpa, Honduras, July 26 Eurotoday Newspaper — Donald Trump pardon news remains in focus as former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández prepares to return home after receiving a presidential pardon from U.S. President Donald Trump. The former leader is expected to arrive in Honduras before appearing in court over separate fraud and money laundering allegations that are still pending u

Read More

Portugal Initiates Its Lobby Register Era

Portugal Initiates Its Lobby Register Era

New transparency rules take effect as Lisbon faces a sharper public debate over influence, access and integrity in government
Portugal’s first lobbying transparency law came into effect on Monday, marking a new phase in the country’s effort to make political influence more visible. The reform establishes a public register for interest representation and new disclosure duties for cont

Read More

What Changes Will Burnham Actually Make?

What Changes Will Burnham Actually Make?

Andy Burnham entered office with promises of the most significant change in Britain in four decades. However, one week into his leadership, is Britain witnessing true transformation or merely a different political approach?
As Burnham reveals proposals on social care, devolution, and welfare, Sam and Anne question the magnitude of Burnham’s announced policies. Is this merely a continuation o

Read More

India Exam Reform Panel Announced by Modi Following Nationwide Protests

India Exam Reform Panel Announced by Modi Following Nationwide Protests

New Delhi, July 26 Eurotoday — India exam reform panel has been announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review and modernise the country’s examination system after widespread student protests over alleged paper leaks and recruitment exam irregularities. The government said the committee will examine security measures, governance, technology, and administrative processes to strengthen transp

Read More

Rome Transforms Cinemas and Libraries into "Climate Shelters"

Rome Transforms Cinemas and Libraries into "Climate Shelters"

Eleven air-conditioned cinemas and the same number of libraries in Rome are opening their doors for free to residents facing a heatwave, announced municipal authorities, as reported by AFP.
Eleven cinemas and an equal number of libraries are part of this initiative from July 23 to August 4.
“Climate change, unfortunately, is a reality. It impacts people’s lives, health, social connections,

Read More

How the EU Calculates Big Tech Fines: Methodical or Arbitrary?

How the EU Calculates Big Tech Fines: Methodical or Arbitrary?

The Digital Markets Act (DMA), a regulatory law, differs from traditional antitrust laws as its fines focus more on encouraging compliance rather than merely penalizing firms and are less shocking in amount. In 2025, when the Commission began issuing multi-million euro fines under the DMA, some ‘Big Tech’ opponents were critical. The Commission cited the brief duration of the conduct a

Read More

Lula Warns New US Tariffs Jeopardize US-Brazil Economic Ties

Lula Warns New US Tariffs Jeopardize US-Brazil Economic Ties

Brasília, July 26 Eurotoday Newspaper — US Brazil economic relations have entered another period of uncertainty after Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva criticized new U.S. tariffs in an opinion article published by The Washington Post. Lula described the trade measures as a mistake, arguing they could raise costs for businesses and consumers while damaging long-standing commercial ti

Read More