20/02/2013 (Agence Europe) -Towards mobilisation of EGF in Italy. On Wednesday 20 February, the European Commission proposed granting €5 million to Italy under the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF). This money will be used to support a return to work for around 1,500 former employees of Antonio Merloni SpA, a specialist in household appliances, whose sites were located in the regions of Marche and Umbria. The companies were put out of business by competition from countries with low labour costs, such as China and Turkey, the Commission states. The total cost of the measures is €7.7 million. The proposal has been put to the Council and to the European Parliament. (JK/transl.fl)