Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: redundancies in the air transport sector in France

The European Parliament adopted by 525 votes to 88, with 87 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, to the amount of EUR 25 937 813 in commitment and payment appropriations in order to assist France following redundancies in the in the air transport 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.

French application: France submitted application EGF/2013/014 FR/Air France for a financial contribution from the EGF, following 5213 redundancies, with 3886 persons expected to participate in the measures, during and after the reference period from 1 July 2013 to 31 October 2013, linked to a decline in the Union's market share in air transport.

Parliament noted that the conditions set out in Article 2(a) of the EGF Regulation are met. Therefore, France is entitled to a financial contribution under the EGF Regulation.

Nature of the redundancies: Parliament considered that the redundancies in Air France are linked to major structural changes in world trade patterns due to globalisation, with the Union market share in air transport falling, notably in the face of a spectacular rise of three major companies in the Persian Gulf, a trend which is aggravated by the global financial and economic crisis. It also noted that the redundancies at Air France are expected to have a negative impact on the Île-de-France region, which is also faced with another mass redundancy as the Peugeot Citroën Automobile (PSA) production plant in Aulnay is being closed entirely in 2014.

Dismissed workers: Parliament noted with regret that the majority of redundant workers are aged between 55 and 64 years and welcomed the differentiated incentive within the business creation contribution measure to recruit workers aged above 55.

Coordinated package of personalised services: Parliament noted that the coordinated package of personalised services to be co-funded includes the following measures for the reintegration of 3886 redundant workers into employment: advisory services and vocational guidance for workers, training, contributions to business creation, regular information and communication activities, redeployment allowances, mobility allowances. It also welcomed the amount of EUR 21 580 020 devoted to the redeployment allowance which will be paid until the end of the ‘congé de reclassement’ and amounts to 70% of the worker's last gross salary.

Parliament noted that the information provided on the coordinated package of personalised services to be funded from the EGF does not include information on complementarity with actions funded by the Structural Funds but refers to a written agreement with the dismissing enterprise to the effect that it will not also receive financial contributions from other Union financial instruments for the same measures. It reiterated its call to the Commission to present a comparative evaluation of those data in its annual reports in order to ensure full respect for the existing regulations and that no duplication of Union-funded services can occur.

Lastly, Parliament reiterated that assistance from the EGF must not replace actions which are the responsibility of companies by virtue of national law or collective agreements nor measures restructuring companies or sectors.