Decision (EU) 2019/275 on the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund following an application from Greece — EGF/2018/003 EL/Attica publishing

What it is

to mobilise the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) to assist Greece facing redundancies in the publishing sector. PROPOSED ACT: Decision of the European Parliament and the Council. CONTENT: the rules applicable to financial contributions from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) are laid down in Regulation (EU) No 1309/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (2014-2020) and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006. In this context, the Commission examined the application for mobilisation of the EGF for Greece and has concluded the following: The Committee on Budgets adopted the report by Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL (S&D, ES) 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 2 308 500 in commitment and payment appropriations to assist Greece which is facing redundancies in the publishing sector. The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) is intended to provide support to redundant workers and self-employed persons who have ceased to work due to major structural changes in world trade patterns as a result of globalisation, due to the persistence of the global financial and economic crisis, or due to a new global financial and economic crisis, and to help them reintegrate into the labour market. Basis for Greece’s application: Greece submitted an application for a financial contribution from the EGF, following redundancies in the publishing industry in the Attica region. The request concerns 550 redundant workers , many of whom are women (41.82%). 14.73% of the dismissed workers are over 55 years of age and 1.6% are under 30 years of age. Since the redundancies in three companies active in the Greek publishing sector are expected to have a significant negative impact on the local economy , Members agree with the Commission that the conditions laid down in Article 4(1)(b) of the Fund Regulation are met and that Greece is entitled, under this Regulation, to a financial contribution of EUR 2 308 500, representing 60% of the total cost of EUR 3 847 500. 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 fall in real GDP per capita, the rise in unemployment, the fall in wages and household incomes and the rapid digital evolution which, combined with the reduction in advertising expenditure by major advertisers, is transforming the publishing sector, which is facing a decline in advertising and commercial revenues. The report highlights the importance of active labour market measures co-financed by the EGF to improve the chances of re-integrating these vulnerable groups into the labour market. Package of personalised services: Members note that Greece is considering five types of actions for redundant employees covered by this request: (i) vocational guidance and job search assistance, (ii) training, retraining and vocational training according to labour market needs, (iii) contribution to business creation,…

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