Commission: 1.5 million euros to support laid off workers in Greece

The European Commission proposes the support of 206 employees who were fired from home appliance companies in the prefecture of Attica in Greece, with 1.5 million euros from the European Globalization Adjustment Fund (EGF). Funding will help these people find new jobs through personalized guidance and advice, training and support for starting their own business.

Nicolas Smith, Commissioner for Employment and Social Rights, said: “With today’s proposal, the EU is actively assisting more than 200 workers who have lost their jobs in the Attica region. “With € 1.5 million in financial assistance from the European Globalization Adjustment Fund, we can help them return to the labor market through training and education programs, job search advice and support to start their own business.”

The application of Greece

Greece applied for EGF support to help the laid-off workers of six home appliance manufacturers located in the Attica region. The redundancies are due to a number of factors, including shortages in the domestic electrical components market and high production costs, as well as difficulties in adapting to the digital transformation and automation of production processes.

Support for redundant workers includes counseling and personalized job search assistance, digital skills training and customized vocational training, leading to certification where possible, or higher education qualifications. Participants can also get advice on how to start their own business, along with a business start-up grant of up to € 22,000. Support includes allowances for the participation of redundant workers in these measures.