Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: redundancies in the publishing activities sector in Greece
The European Parliament adopted by 540 votes to 54, with 7 abstentions, a resolution on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for an amount of EUR 3 746 700 in commitment and payment appropriations in order to assist Greece following redundancies in its publishing sector.
Parliament recalled that the Union set up legislative and budgetary instruments to provide additional support to workers who are suffering from the consequences of major structural changes in world trade patterns and to assist their reintegration into the labour market.
Greek application: Greece submitted application EGF/2014/015 GR/Attica Publishing for a financial contribution from the EGF, following 705 redundancies in 46 enterprises operating in the NACE Rev. 2 division 58 (Publishing activities) in the NUTS 2 level region of Attica (EL 30) in Greece. Parliament noted that the conditions set out in Article 4(1)(b) of the EGF Regulation are met. Therefore, Greece is entitled to a financial contribution under that Regulation.
Parliament welcomed the fact that, in order to provide workers with speedy assistance, the Greek authorities decided to initiate the implementation of the personalised services to the affected workers on 28 November 2014, well ahead of the decision on granting the EGF support for the proposed coordinated package.
Nature of the redundancies: Parliament considered that the redundancies in the publishing sector of the Attica region are linked to the global financial and economic crisis, that, on the one hand, decreased the available household income, resulting in a huge drop of purchasing power and drastically reduced loans to enterprises and individuals due to the lack of cash in the Greek banks. It noted that these redundancies are expected to have huge negative impacts on the Attica region, which already has the largest number of all the unemployed people in Greece as compared to the other 12 regions.
A package of personalised services: Parliament noted that the coordinated package of personalised services to be co-funded mostly supports business start-ups in the form of self-employment subsidies (EUR 1.2 million) but also consists of occupational guidance, training measures, including vocational training (EUR 1.104 million) and training allowances (EUR 828 000), as well as job-search, and mobility allowances. It welcomed the fact that the co-ordinated package of personalised services has been drawn up in consultation with the representatives of the targeted beneficiaries who suggested to the Greek Labour Ministry to apply for the EGF, acknowledging its prompt impact and effectiveness. It considered that the coordinating role and the involvement of the representatives of the targeted beneficiaries was especially important in drawing up the personalised services, since the dismissals took place in 46 different companies in the publishing sector.
Occupational guidance: Parliament welcomed the fact that all eligible redundant workers have been offered occupational guidance consisting of various stages, which will provide them with individual, personalised advice and plans to reintegrate into employment. It noted that the maximum eligible amount of EUR 15 000 will be granted to up to 80 selected workers as a contribution to setting up their own businesses and underlined that the aim of this measure is to promote entrepreneurship by providing funding to viable business initiatives, which should result in the creation of further workplaces in the medium term.
Parliament recalled the importance of improving the employability of all workers by means of adapted training and the recognition of skills and competences gained throughout a worker's professional career.
Lastly, it stressed that EGF assistance can co-finance only active labour market measures which lead to durable, long-term employment.