Brussels, 03/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 3 February, the European Commission proposed to mobilise €8.7 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) to help 1,633 workers made redundant in the media sectors in Greece between 2009-2012.
In a press release, Marianne Thyssen, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills said, “I am happy we have been able to respond positively to Greece's request for EGF support to the redundant workers”. The Council of the EU and European Parliament, however, still need to give their formal approval for releasing these funds.
The Greek request focuses on helping the transition of 1,633 workers in the Attica region around Athens, previously employed in the media sector (928 workers in 16 programming and broadcasting enterprises and a further 705 workers in 46 publishing enterprises), into work. The total estimated cost of the package is €14.6 million. The measures advocated would help the workers find new jobs by providing them with active career guidance, vocational training and specific advice towards entrepreneurship, contributions to business start-up and a variety of allowances.
The Attica region has an unemployment rate of 28% (first quarter of 2014). More than 70% of the unemployed have been out of the labour market for more than 12 months. (MB)