The European Union has allocated €700,000 to assist workers who were laid-off from Limburg-based companies Purmo and Sappi in finding new jobs. The European Parliament approved the funding in Strabourg on Tuesday.
Paper manufacturer Sappi in Lanaken closed its doors at the end of last year, resulting in 567 job losses. At the radiator producer Purmo in Zonhoven, 114 jobs were cut following the end of panel radiator production.
At Belgium’s request, the European Commission proposed €700,000 from the Globalisation Fund to help the displaced workers find new employment. The funds can be used for advisory services, job search assistance, and training programmes. The European Parliament has now given its approval.
An estimated 632 people are expected to benefit from the decision. "This support is crucial for the affected workers," said MEP Wouter Beke (CD&V). "Especially in a region where the job-seeker to vacancy ratio is already higher than the Flemish average. With these funds, we can support people in transitioning to a new future."
The total cost of the measures is €1.2 million. The remaining €500,000 will be funded by the Flemish Employment and Vocational Training Service.
Flemish Employment Minister Zuhal Demir announced last week that 58% of the workers laid off from the two companies have since found new employment.
