The EU doesn’t want to stand idly by when unemployment is on the rise. The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF), originally created to support workers who'd lost their jobs as a result of globalisation, now also covers those affected by the econom

Fighting unemployment in times of crisis

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The car industry, affected   by globalisation in times of crisis,

is restructuring and moving production   to where labour is cheap.

US car giant GM has announced plans   to close down an Opel plant in Belgium.

It would mean the loss of 2,600 jobs at   the plant and many more with suppliers.

Supporting the victims   of such economic vagaries

is mainly up to   national job market policies

but Europe doesn’t want   to stand idly by.

We want to have   social and economic balance,

but for that you really   need to help the people.

Instead of saying: ‘you have agencies   at home, they’ll sort it out’,

Unemployment across the EU   has risen during the last year,

with the highest rate measured in Spain   and the lowest in Holland.

4 years ago the EU created   the Globalisation Adjustment Fund,

aimed at preserving workforces   in vulnerable sectors

It has half a billion Euros   available per year.

The automotive sector and the textile   industry have been main beneficiaries.

The EP’s Social Affairs Committee   is currently scrutinising the programme.

We get more and more cases   to be examined, so, obviously,

it’s been easier for Member States   to apply to the Globalisation Fund.

You have to reflect on   the industrial policy of the EU

because you cannot just   react to events,

you have to find   a more pro-active attitude for the EU.

The Spanish Presidency advocates   a more pro-active EU industrial policy,

but it is far from undisputed   in all Member States.