Commission proposes €2 million to help over 800 dismissed workers in Belgium

The decision will support workers through measures such as

• career counselling and guidance
• job search assistance
• training in new professional and horizontal skills
• recruitment events.

These measures will help the dismissed workers acquire new skills and rejoin the labour market. The total cost of the support measures is €2.5 million, with 85% funded by the EU and 15% by Flemish public employment services.

Belgian authorities began supporting the workers in June 2025, shortly before Soliver's bankruptcy on 1 July 2025. The EGF can retroactively cover these costs.

Next steps

The proposal now requires approval by the European Parliament and the Council. It needs a simple majority in the European Parliament and a qualified majority in the Council.

Background

The EGF contributes directly to the creation of a more dynamic and competitive European economy by improving the skills and employability of dismissed people and facilitating the general upskilling in European companies, leading towards better quality jobs.

Helping European workers learn and improve their skills for the demands of a quickly evolving job market is a priority for the Commission. On 25 February 2026, the EU expanded the EGF to assist workers at risk of losing their jobs, allowing them to receive training before dismissal.

In November 2025, the Commission also launched a Skills Guarantee pilot to support workers in transition in the car industry so they can learn new skills. The initiative under the Union of Skills will reinforce strategic and growing sectors.

Details

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