The European Commission proposed to support 603 workers dismissed by a logistics company in Belgium with €2.2 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF).
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The funding will help the workers find new jobs through tailored guidance and advice, as well as training, and support to start their own business.
Belgium applied for EGF funding to help the workers dismissed by Logistics Nivelles SA, a provider of logistics services for food and drinks.
Logistics Nivelles is a subsidiary of global transport and logistics company Kuehne + Nagel International.
Kuehne + Nagel International closed its site in the Belgian region of Wallonia to concentrate operations in Kontich, in the region of Flanders.
The EU-funded support to the dismissed workers includes advisory services and job search assistance, tailored vocational reskilling, and training in digital skills and languages.
Participants can also receive advice on how to start their own business, and benefit from start-up grants of up to €15,000, as well as a monthly allowance of €350 in the first 12 months after launching their business.
In addition, the measures include bonuses for workers that successfully complete training courses to improve their IT and language skills.
EU funding also supports a variety of allowances, for instance regular financial support while workers engage in job-search, continue their education or attend training.
The total estimated cost of these measures is about €2.5 million, of which the EGF will cover 85% (€2.2 million).
The Walloon Region in Belgium will finance the remaining 15% (€380,000). Support to the eligible workers started after the first dismissals happened.
The Commission's proposal requires approval by the European Parliament and the Council. ■
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