The European Parliament adopted by 556 votes to 76 with 4 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 following a request from Greece - EGF/2018/003 EL/Attica publishing.
Parliament approved the proposal for a decision to mobilise the EGF in order to provide a financial contribution of EUR 2 308 500 in commitment and payment appropriations in the framework of the Union budget for 2018 to assist Greece facing redundancies in the publishing sector.
It is recalled that on 22 May 2018, Greece submitted an application for EGF assistance following 550 redundancies in the Attica region.
Reasons for the redundancies: according to Greece, the redundancies are linked to the global financial and economic crisis, and in particular to its effects on the Greek economy, in particular the decline in per capita real GDP, the rise in unemployment, decreasing salaries and reduced household incomes coupled with the rapid digital evolution which, together with cuts in the advertising expenditure.
The redundancies that occurred in three enterprises operating in the Greek publishing sector are expected to have a significant adverse effect on the local economy. Member expressed concern that the Attica region accounts for a large proportion of unemployment and long-term unemployment in Greece where unemployment still remains high.
Measures envisaged: Members noted that Greece is planning five types of actions for the redundant workers covered by this application: (i) occupational guidance and job search assistance; (ii) training, retraining and vocational training in accordance with needs of the labour market; (iii) contribution to business start-up; (iv) job-search allowance and training allowance; (v) hiring incentives.
Financial allowances and incentives, i.e. hiring incentives, job-search and training allowances are close to the maximum of 35 % set out in the EGF Regulation. No measures are planned for young people not in employment, education or training (NEET) despite NEET rates remaining at high levels in Greece.
The coordinated package of personalised services has been drawn up in consultation with representatives of the Journalists Union of the Athens Daily Newspapers, the Employees Union of Athens Daily Newspapers (ΕΠΗΕΑ) and the Ministry of Labour.
In addition, the Greek authorities confirmed that the eligible actions do not receive assistance from other Union funds or financial instruments and that any double financing will be prevented.
Beneficiaries: the application relates to 550 workers made redundant, of whom a large number are women (41.82 %). 14.73 % of the redundant workers are over 55 years of age and 1.6 % are below 30 years of age. In view of this, Parliament stressed the importance of active labour market measures co-funded by the EGF for improving the chances of reintegration in the labour market of these vulnerable groups.
The Commission was asked to: (i) urge national authorities to provide more details, in future proposals, on the sectors which have growth prospects and are therefore likely to hire people, (ii) gather substantiated data on the impact of the EGF funding, including on the quality of jobs and the reintegration rate achieved through the EGF.