In July 2024, Belgium applied for EGF funding to help workers in the Flemish province of Limburg who were laid off by Purmo (machinery) and Sappi (paper) to find new employment.

Many of the redundancies involve lower-skilled workers aged 50 years and older, some of them with a migrant background, who typically face more challenges in finding work in the Flemish labour market.

The territories concerned by the redundancies, Lanaken and Zonhoven, are less prosperous than the other parts of the Limburg province and Flanders.

In these territories, the job seeker-to-vacancy ratio is double the average ratio in Flanders, highlighting the critical need for personalised support to help workers with a successful job transition.

The EGF funding will help pay for counselling and vocational orientation, job search assistance, as well as skills training in vocational, digital and language skills.

The total estimated cost of these measures is €1.2 million, with 60% (€700,000) covered by the EGF and the remaining 40% (€500,000) financed by the Flemish Employment and Vocational Training Service (VDAB).

Support from the Belgian authorities for eligible workers started shortly after the dismissals.

The Commission's proposal now requires approval from the European Parliament and the Council. ■