C’è un fondo dell’Unione europea creato per contrastare gli effetti negativi che la globalizzazione produce a carico dei lavoratori. Il fondo, che attualmente è finanziato per una somma di 150 milioni di euro ogni anno, viene usato dall’Unione per coprire le spese delle imprese che ne fanno richiesta. La Plenaria del Parlamento europeo della prossima settimana deciderà in merito a 6 nuove richieste di accesso al fondo. Di seguito il breve focus curato dalla DG ricerca del Parlamento europeo:
At its March plenary, the European Parliament is due to vote on six applications for the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF). The EGF provides one-off support to workers losing their jobs as a result of major structural changes in world trade patterns.
The European Globalisation Fund in a nutshell
The EGF was introduced in 2007 as a flexible instrument in the EU budget to provide support, under specific conditions, to workers who have lost their jobs as a result of mass redundancies caused by major changes in global trade (e.g. delocalisation to third countries). Since 2007, the EGF has received 146 applications and has paid out €454.2 million (out of €545.3 million requested) in favour of 119 980 workers. Companies from the automotive, machinery and equipment, and textile industries have been among the most frequent applicants for EGF aid.
The EGF can be used only in case of a specific crisis, on a Member State’s request for financial support, and whenever the relevant conditions are met. Relevant conditions are: (1) a minimum of 500 redundancies over a period of four months in an enterprise in a Member State, or, alternatively, (2) a minimum of 500 redundancies in SMEs over a period of nine months. Applications for a contribution from the EGF falling outside the criteria, laid down in points (1) and (2), may be considered admissible in exceptional circumstances (e.g. small labour markets).
In line with the European Council conclusions of February 2013, the maximum amount available for EGF actions has been cut from €500 million to €150 million per year for the 2014-20 MMF, whereas EU contributions under the Fund have been increased to 60% of the total estimated cost of proposed measures.
Applications for approval at the March plenary
The March plenary will vote on six applications for the mobilisation of the EGF (one from Poland, one from Germany, and four from Belgium, respectively). These requests are summarised below.
Poland – Zachem
Application EGF/2013/009 PL/Zachem follows 615 redundancies at Zachem, Poland, and in two of its suppliers, also in Poland. The total contribution requested is € 115 205 (50% of the total costs).
Germany – Aleo Solar
Application EGF/2014/014 DE/Aleo Solar follows 657 redundancies at Aleo Solar and in two subsidiaries in Germany. The total contribution requested is €1 094 760 (60% of the total costs).
Belgium – Saint-Gobain Sekurit
Application EGF/2013/011 BE/Saint-Gobain follows 257 redundancies at Saint-Gobain Sekurit in Belgium. The total contribution requested is €1 339 928 (50% of the total costs).
Belgium – Hainaut-Steel
Application EGF/2013/007 BE/Hainaut Steel follows 708 redundancies at two companies (Duferco Belgium SA and La Louvière SA) in Belgium. The total contribution requested is €981 956 (50% of the total costs).
Belgium – ArcelorMittal
Application EGF/2014/012 BE/ArcelorMittal follows 1 285 redundancies at ArcelorMittal in Belgium. The total contribution requested is €1 591 486 (60% of the total costs).
Belgium – Caterpillar
Application EGF/2014/011 BE/Caterpillar follows 1 030 redundancies at Caterpillar SA in Belgium. The total contribution requested is €1 222 854 (60% of the total costs).
