Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: redundancies in the programming and broadcasting activities sector in Greece

The European Parliament adopted by 532 votes to 47, with 10 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 5 046 000 in commitment and payment appropriations in order to assist Greece following redundancies in the area of programming and broadcasting.

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/2014/018 GR/Attica Broadcasting for a financial contribution from the EGF, following 928 redundancies in 16 enterprises operating in the NACE Rev. 2 division 60 (programming and broadcasting 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.

It also 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 broadcasting 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 the need to prioritise spending while limiting significantly the cost of everyday information despite its importance, and, on the other hand, 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, compared to the 12 other regions.

A package of personalised services: Parliament noted that the coordinated package of personalised services to be co-funded consists of occupational guidance, training, retraining and vocational training, specialised training and education, job-search, training and mobility allowances. As regards self-employment subsidies, it noted that the maximum eligible amount of EUR 15 000 will be granted to up to 120 selected workers as a contribution to setting up their own businesses. The aim of that 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.

Occupational guidance: Parliament welcomed that all 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 most of the requested funds are to support business start-ups in the form of self-employment subsidies (EUR 1.8 million) and training measures, including vocational training (EUR 1.536 million) and training allowances (EUR 1.152 million). It also noted that an estimated 120 workers are to receive a mobility allowance, with the aim of supporting their move after accepting a job offer involving a change of residence.

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.