Brussels, 09/09/2009 (Agence Europe) - The Belgian provinces of Limburg, East Flanders and West Flanders will be the first in the European Union to benefit from the new European Globalisation adjustment Fund (EGF). EGF aid was approved by the Commission on Wednesday 9 September and will allow for a total of almost €9.2 million to help 2,168 workers in the textiles sector back into employment. The Belgian textile industry was hit hard by the relocations to Turkey and China where labour costs are lower. The raft of measures will include competence screening, interview skills training, individual job search support and career assistance, training and outplacement. The money will be distributed through existing structures in the country and paid to national and local employment agencies, which will pay them to workers who have lost their jobs. The Commission will be submitting a proposal to the EP and Council in order to release the necessary budgetary resources. (G.B./transl.rh)