Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: redundancies in textiles sector in Belgium and computer manufacturing industry in Ireland

The European Parliament adopted by 591 votes to 55, with 28 abstentions, a resolution approving the annexed decision concerning the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) for a total amount of EUR 24 029 924 to assist the textile sector in Belgium and the computer manufacturing industry in Ireland following several cases of redundancies.

Parliament recalls that the European Union set up the appropriate legislative and budgetary instruments to provide additional support to workers who suffer from the consequences of major structural changes in world trade patterns and to assist their reintegration into the labour market.

Given that Belgium and Ireland requested assistance in respect of cases concerning redundancies in the textiles sector in the Belgian regions of East and West Flanders and Limburg, and in the computer manufacturing industry in the Irish counties of Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary, as well as the city of Limerick, and that both applications have fulfilled the eligibility criteria set up by the EGF Regulation, Parliament requests the institutions involved to make the necessary efforts to accelerate the mobilisation of the EGF for the requested amount.

Parliament notes that the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs has assessed the Commission's proposal and has no objections to raise in the case of Belgian applications, but has requested clarifications from the Commission in respect of the Irish application regarding the Dell case.

Parliament recalls the institutions' commitment to ensure a smooth and rapid procedure for the adoption of the decisions on the mobilisation of the Fund. In particular, it stresses that the European Union should use all its means to face the consequences of the global economic and financial crisis and that in this respect the EGF can play a crucial role in the reintegration of the workers made redundant into the labour market.

Parliament also recalls that:

• assistance from the EGF shall not replace actions which are the responsibility of companies by virtue of national law or collective agreements, nor measures restructuring companies or sectors;
• the functioning and the added value of the EGF should be evaluated in the context of the general assessment of the programmes and other various instruments created by the IIA of 17 May 2006, within the process of the 2007-2013 multiannual financial framework budget review.

Parliament reminds the Commission, in the context of mobilising the EGF, not to systematically transfer payment appropriations from the European Social Fund, since the EGF was created as a separate specific instrument with its own objectives and deadlines.

Lastly, Parliament expects the Commission to take stock of the current difficulties and to present from now on its proposals for decisions on the mobilisation of the EGF in separate documents: one proposal for a decision per Member State application.