The Commission proposed to support 390 dismissed workers in the meat processing industry in Denmark with €1.9 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF).
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In December 2023, Denmark applied for EGF funding to help workers laid off by Danish Crown, after the meat company closed its slaughterhouse in Sæby, a town within the municipality of Frederikshavn.
The EGF support package includes advisory services, job search assistance, and training. The training helps workers to reskill for different industries and services, and increase digital and other skills sought after by employers.
Another focus will be on language skills, as 41% of the dismissed workers are not fluent in Danish. Workers will receive an allowance while engaged in training or job search.
The total estimated cost of these measures is €3.1 million, with 60% (€1.9 million) covered by the EGF and the remaining 40% (€1.2 million) financed by The Danish Business Authority, the municipalities of Frederikshavn, Aalborg, Hjørring and Brønderslev, which were affected by the dismissals, and by Danish Crown.
Support for eligible workers started shortly after the dismissals.
The Commission's proposal requires approval from the European Parliament and the Council.
Danish Crown is a group of food companies engaged in the butchery, processing and sale of pork and beef. Since 2005, the number of pigs slaughtered in Denmark decreased by 20%, largely due to the shift of many Danish farmers from raising pigs for slaughter to raising piglets for export at a lower economic cost.
As a result of this change, Danish Crown decided to close one of its six slaughterhouses in Denmark, laying off 390 workers. At the same time, the number of jobs in the affected region has declined.
Given the level of formal qualifications and skills of most of the laid-off workers, they can benefit especially from targeted support measures to retrain and find new jobs. ■
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