Brussels, 20/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 20 July the European Commission approved an application from Germany for assistance from the EU Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF). The application will now be put before the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union for a decision.
The €4.3 million requested by the German authorities will help back into employment 778 workers from the motor car industry who have been made redundant. The workers lost their jobs after the demand for new motor vehicles in the EU decreased with the onset of the economic slowdown. The area principally concerned by the redundancies in Germany is the Land North Rhine Westphalia, and in particular the administrative districts of Arnsberg and Düsseldorf.
The package of EGF assistance will help the 778 former workers back into employment by offering training courses leading to qualifications, international and national labour market guidance, in-depth guidance for business start-up, workshops and peer groups, placement search, counselling and support in a new job and during unemployment, activation supplement and job seeker's allowance. The total estimated cost of the package is €6.7 million, with the European Union being asked to provide EGF assistance of €4.3 million. (G.B./transl.rt)