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
La Louvière Quickly Strike Back Against Mechelen in Belgium
La Louvière, Belgium, 29 August (Eurotoday Newspaper) – RAAL La Louvière responded almost immediately after falling behind against KV Mechelen, with Elias Filet cancelling out an early Myron van Brederode goal to make it 1-1 in Saturday’s Belgian Pro League match at the Easi Arena.
The La Louvière vs Mechelen contest produced a rapid exchange of goals. Mechelen struck first after only six minute
Russia Preparing ‘Massive Strikes Against Ukraine’s Energy Facilities’
“This week al
State Honors for Mladić Reopen Balkan Wounds
Zimbabwe vs South Africa T20I Preview in Windhoek
Windhoek, Namibia, 29 August (Eurotoday Newspaper) – South Africa face Zimbabwe in the second match of the Namibia T20I Tri-Series at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek, with the Proteas seeking an immediate response after losing their opening fixture to the hosts. The Zimbabwe vs South Africa contest also gives Sikandar Raza’s side its first opportunity to make an impact in the three-team t
Ein Spaziergang mit Manuela Schwesig
Belgium Women’s Team Wins Historic Hockey World Cup Bronze After 48 Years
Amstelveen (Eurotoday Newspaper) – In a nail-biting game in Amstelveen on a Saturday afternoon, the Belgian women’s hockey team or Red Panthers beat Australia by 1–0 to clinch the bronze medal in the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026. This victory achieved on 29 August 2026 at the Wagener Stadium is the first World Cup medal for Belgium since 1978 after 48 years of waiting. The winning goal was
Germany Accuses Russia for Leipzig Attack Amid Rising Tensions with Putin
A diplomat mentioned the possibility of using frozen Russian state bank
Car Rams House Façade in Sint-Truiden as Driver Misses Bend
Sint‑Truiden (Eurotoday Newspaper) – During the night, a seemingly ordinary stretch of road on Truilingenweg in Sint-Truiden became the center of a shocking traffic accident after a vehicle went off the road and crashed into the facade of a building. The accident took place on the night of Saturday, 29 August 2026, in the town of Limburg when a driver in the area lost control over his vehicle an
Ukraine warns of new Russian ground attack on Kyiv
Palisa’s remarks follow a Wall Street Journal report about Russia testing its ability to mobilize more troops. The Kremlin is losing more troops than it can recruit, and there’s a growing exodus of Russians fear
Parish Hall in Schoonaarde Damaged by Burglars Amid Increasing Church Break-ins
Dendermonde (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The local authorities and people in Schoonaarde, a town in the municipality of Dendermonde, are now facing the effects of burglary in the parish hall associated with the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van 7 Weeën and Sint-Jozef parish. As reported by the local criminal reports, “Burglars make mess in parish hall in Schoonaarde” – a problem that is raising concerns ab
Leave a Reply