Brussels, 16/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 16 December in Strasbourg, the European Parliament approved a payment of 15.9 million euros from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) for redundant employees in the automotive and construction sectors in Sweden, Austria and the Netherlands. This money will be used for aid to training, business creation and professional advice services. The report by Reimer Böge (EPP, Germany) on using the EGF was adopted by 531 votes in favour, 61 against and 18 abstentions. Within 15 days of the date of the plenary vote, the Commission will transfer this money to the Member States, which will then have 12 months to use it.
It is worth noting that: - between December 2008 and March 2009 in Sweden, 4687 workers lost their jobs at Volvo Cars and at 23 downstream suppliers and producers. The Parliament approved additional employment measures to help 1500 of the 3126 workers registered by the Public Service for Employment. The total cost of this assistance comes to just over 15 million euros, 9.8 million of which will be covered by the EU; - a total of 744 Austrians lost their jobs in the automotive industry in the Austria region of Styria between August 2008 and May 2009. Of these 744 people, 400 will be eligible for aid. The total cost will be 8.8 million euros, 5.7 million of which will be provided by the EU; - in the Netherlands, the request concerns 570 workers made redundant by Heijmans NV between January and May 2009, 435 of whom will be able to receive aid. The total cost of these measures will be close to 600,000 euros and the EGF will contribute 386,114 euros. For details on situations in Sweden and Austria, see EUROPE 10003. For the situation in the Netherlands, see EUROPE 9997. (G. B. /trans.fl)