What changed

A. whereas the Union has set up legislative and budgetary instruments to provide additional support to workers who are suffering from the consequences of major structural events and changes in world trade patterns or who are affected by imminent job displacement in enterprises undergoing restructuring, to assist their rapid and sustainable reintegration into the labour market or their career transitions and to provide training, retraining and vocational training to better equip workers with skills aligned to the labour market needs; whereas this assistance is made through a financial support given to workers; whereas the support should be directed to the rapid reintegration of workers into quality employment;

D. whereas Cora, despite numerous measures over the past decade to strengthen its financial position, has been forced into progressive down-sizing and successive waves of collective redundancies since September 2025; whereas these developments take place against a broader backdrop of profound changes in the retail sector, including the rapid growth of e-commerce, intensifying competition from non-EU online retailers, including Chinese platforms, and increased pressure on non European retailers from lower-cost competitors that may not be subject to equivalent regulatory and production standards; whereas these disruptions disproportionally affect workers in low-wage, part-time and precarious employment;

E. whereas financial contributions from the EGF should be directed at active labour market policy measures and personalised services that aim to reintegrate beneficiaries rapidly into quality and sustainable employment or support their career transitions while offering them skills training to facilitate their reintegration and strengthen digital literacy;

F. whereas the use of the EGF remains geographically unevenly distributed across the Union with several Member States having never submitted applications for the use of the Fund; whereas greater awareness, appropriate legislative framework, earlier coordination with social partners and enhanced technical assistance for national and regional authorities could ensure visibility and timely and effective access to the EGF for eligible workers and regions affected by major restructuring events;

2. Notes that the Belgian authorities submitted the application on 25 March 2026, and that, following the receipt of additional information from Belgium, the Commission finalised its assessment on 16 July 2026 and notified it to Parliament on 24 August 2026; stresses the importance of shortening the time between the submission of an application for EGF assistance and the financing decision, while fully safeguarding the rights of the European Parliament as one arm of the budgetary authority;3. Notes that the application relates to 1 257 displaced workers who were made redundant by Cora and one supplier; notes further that 1 010 displaced workers, residing in Wallonia, will be targeted beneficiaries;

3. Notes that the application relates to 1 257 displaced workers whose activity ceased in Cora and one supplier; notes further that 1 010 displaced workers, residing in Wallonia, will be targeted beneficiaries;

4. Takes note that Cora, hypermarket retailers, has struggled to adapt to changing consumer habits and intensifying competition, including from the rapid expansion of e-commerce and low-cost non-EU online retailers, with rising operating costs further exacerbating its financial difficulties; recalls the necessity of ensuring a level playing field between European retailers and third-country companies; stresses that these developments underline the importance of a strong and competitive European economy and a business-friendly environment that enables companies to adapt to structural change and remain competitive; notes the impact of subsequent redundancies on Wallonia, particularly Hainaut; highlights the need to strengthen European companies’ capacity to anticipate and adapt to market changes, while safeguarding quality and sustainable employment and workers’ rights, in order to safeguard competitiveness and prevent lay-offs where possible; advocates for at least part of the workers to be re-employed in the entities opened at the locations in the seven former Cora hypermarkets where 95 % of the retail space is now leased;

4. Takes note that Cora, hypermarket retailers, has struggled to adapt to changing consumer habits and, digital retail and heightened competition, with rising operating costs further exacerbating its financial difficulties; as well as intensifying competition, including from the rapid expansion of e-commerce and low-cost non-EU online retailers, with rising operating costs further exacerbating its financial difficulties; stresses that these developments underline the importance of a strong and competitive European economy and a business-friendly environment that enables companies to adapt to structural change and remain competitive; notes the impact of subsequent redundancies on Wallonia, particularly Hainaut; highlights the need to strengthen companies’ capacity to endure and adapt to market changes, safeguard competitiveness and prevent lay-offs where possible;

5. Notes that this case is affecting the Hainaut province, where the unemployment rate remains a concern; highlights the need to prevent structural regional decline and to create high-quality, future-oriented jobs in order to strengthen long-term economic and social resilience; stresses the need for policies that foster industrial competitiveness, social cohesion and regional development;

5. Takes note that eight in ten displaced workers have an educational attainment of upper secondary level or lower, with one in three being aged over 54; emphasizes that targeted and tailored support facilitates their sustainable reintegration into the labour market; highlights that successful reintegration is instrumental to a resilient and competitive European economy;

6. Emphasises that the Union needs a stable, predictable, innovation-friendly business environment that supports technological development and strengthens competitiveness; recalls that strong and competitive businesses are essential to sustain high-quality jobs, drive economic growth, promote territorial, economic and social cohesion, and reinforce Europe’s strategic resilience;

6. Recalls that, in agreement with targeted beneficiaries, their representatives and social partners, personalised services to be provided to the displaced workers consist of the following measures: outplacement services providing vocational orientation, skills certification, training and re-training, support for business creation and contribution to start-up, incentives and allowances;

7. Takes note that eight in ten displaced workers have an educational attainment of upper secondary level or lower, with one in three being aged over 54, facing greater barriers to re-entering the labour market; calls on the Belgian and regional authorities to address social disparities and structural barriers preventing displaced workers from accessing quality employment, including age-related discrimination; emphasizes that targeted and tailored support facilitates their sustainable reintegration into the labour market; highlights that successful reintegration is instrumental to a resilient and competitive European economy; stresses the need to align training with labour-market needs as they evolve in order to facilitate rapid reintegration into quality employment;

7. Stresses that the Belgian authorities shall ensure the visibility of the Union funding and highlight its added value by providing effective and targeted information to beneficiaries, regional and local authorities, social partners, and the wider public;

8. Recalls that, in agreement with targeted beneficiaries, their representatives and social partners, whose meaningful involvement is essential to the quality and legitimacy of the reintegration process, personalised services to be provided to the displaced workers consist of the following measures: outplacement services providing vocational orientation, skills certification, training and re-training, support for business creation and contribution to start-up, incentives and allowances in order to prevent long-term unemployment including for older workers; stresses that trade union representatives should be involved throughout the entire implementation of the EGF measures, including the monitoring phase, to ensure the quality and relevance of the support offered to beneficiaries;

8. Calls for thorough final evaluations of the measures implemented, including clear information on the use of funds, the success of the reintegration of workers into the labour market and its effectiveness, to ensure accountability, sound financial management and the effective use of Union funds; reiterates the need for appropriate monitoring and control of the use of EGF funding;

9. Stresses that the Belgian authorities shall ensure the visibility of the Union funding and highlight its added value by providing effective, clear and timely information to beneficiaries, regional and local authorities, social partners, and the wider public;

10. Recalls that the EGF is an instrument of solidarity and just transition, and while it provides support following job losses, it cannot replace a proactive industrial policy; considers that the mobilisation of the EGF needs to be embedded in a larger policy response on all political levels to ensure that the workers affected find adequate opportunities in line with their qualifications and skills; underlines the need to provide specific support tailored to the needs and profiles of workers with lower levels of education, while taking measures to reduce bankruptcies and address social disparities leading to exclusion from the workforce;

11. Underlines the need to further raise awareness of the EGF in some Member States and strengthen its visibility; calls on the Commission, in cooperation with the Member States and social partners, to strengthen outreach and technical assistance, with particular attention to national and regional authorities with no or limited experience in accessing EGF support;

12. Calls for thorough final evaluations of the measures implemented, including clear information on the use of funds, the success of the reintegration of workers into the labour market and its effectiveness, to ensure accountability, sound financial management and the effective use of Union funds; reiterates the need for appropriate monitoring and control of the use of EGF funding and whether the EGF objectives were achieved;

11.15. Reiterates that assistance from the EGF must not replace actions that are the responsibility of public authorities or companies under national law or collective agreements; recalls that the EGF is a limited, targeted and complementary mechanism and cannot replace structural economic and social policies that contribute to a sustainable economic growth, that promote a stable, predictable and innovation-friendly business environment, and that protect Union enterprises, economic operators and their workers;

LETTER OF THE COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS

Mr Johan Van Overtveldt

Chair

Committee on Budgets

BRUSSELS

Subject: Opinion on Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers following an application from Belgium — EGF/2026/001 BE/Cora (2026/0197(BUD))

Dear Mr Chair,

Under the procedure referred to above, the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs has been asked to submit an opinion to your committee and decided to send the opinion in the form of a letter.

The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs considered the matter, and, at its meeting of 10 September 2026, it decided to submit the opinion set out below to the Committee on Budgets, as the committee responsible.

Yours sincerely,

Li Andersson

OPINION

A. Whereas on 25 March 2026, Belgium submitted an application EGF/2026/001 BE/Cora for a financial contribution from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF), following displacements in Cora SA and one supplier and downstream producer in Belgium; whereas the primary enterprise operated in the economic sector classified under the NACE Revision 2 division 47 (Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles, where the jobs displaced by Cora and its provider are mainly located in the NUTS 2 region of Province Hainaut (BE32);

B. Whereas Belgium submitted the application under the intervention criteria of Article 4(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2021/691, which requires the cessation of activity of at least 200 displaced workers over a reference period of four months (in this case from from 1 September 2025 to 1 January 2026) in an enterprise in a Member State, including workers displaced in suppliers and downstream producers and/or self-employed persons whose activity has ceased; whereas, following its assessment of this application, the Commission has concluded, in accordance with all applicable provisions of the EGF Regulation, that the conditions for awarding a financial contribution from the EGF are met;

C. Whereas the application relates to 1 257 displaced workers (eligible beneficiaries) whose activity has ceased in the economic sectors indicated above (662 job displacements during the reference period 595 displaced workers whose activity ceased before or after the reference period);

D. Whereas on 16 July 2026, the Commission adopted a proposal for a decision on the mobilisation of the EGF in favour of Belgium to support the reintegration in the labour market of 1 010 targeted beneficiaries;

E. Whereas the hypermarket model currently faces significant challenges, with shifting consumer habits —with shoppers increasingly favouring quick, convenient shopping trips— alongside the rise of online grocery shopping has reduced the need to visit large stores; whereas competition from new retail formats has also intensified, with neighbourhood supermarkets and specialty stores, such as organic and gourmet retailers, are gaining market share; whereas, furthermore, the higher operating costs associated with the hypermarket model, compared to smaller or digital store formats, have pressured profitability;

F. Whereas to adapt to these market changes and improve its financial position, Cora implemented several initiatives, such as multiple recovery plans (introduced in 2014, 2017 and 2023), recapitalisations totalling nearly EUR 112 million since 2020, and strategic commercial collaborations with Carrefour and Intermarché; whereas rising inflation weighed on operating costs, whereas since 2021, hourly wage costs have undergone ten successive index-linked increases resulting in a cumulative rise of over 20 %; whereas in 2024, Cora reported an EUR 34 million loss and a 6,1 % decline in revenue; whereas over the 2020–2024 period, Cora’s gross margin declined by EUR 16,1 million, while EBITDA deteriorated from EUR -3,7 million to EUR -22,5 million, contributing to a cumulative net loss of EUR 123 million; whereas despite its efforts, Cora could not improve its financial position; whereas, therefore, the enterprise initiated collective redundancies in successive waves from September 2025, through a gradual winding-down of operations;

G. Whereas the displacements by Cora represent an economic shock for Wallonia, as they occur in a labour market already weakened by other restructuring events such as TNT-FedEx, Makro or Liberty for which Belgium also applied for EGF support; whereas the unemployment rate in Belgium is 6,4 %, slightly above the EU average (5,8 %); whereas, however, the unemployment rate in Wallonia is 8,3 %, about 2 percentage points (pp) higher than the national rate; whereas Cora had two stores in Brussels and five in Wallonia; whereas the redundancies primarily concern the Walloon province of Hainaut, where two in three displaced workers reside, and particularly the city of Charleroi which also hosted Cora's general services;

H. Whereas employment rates in Wallonia are strongly influenced by both age and educational attainment, with gaps of 23 to 30 percentage points between successive qualification levels; whereas among working-age adults, the employment rate reaches just 31 % for those with low educational attainment, compared with 61 % for those with intermediate qualifications and 84 % for those with high attainment; whereas, while the employment rate for the 25–49 age group stands at 77 %, it declines by 16 percentage points for individuals aged 50 and over;

I. Whereas Belgium has indicated that the co-ordinated package of personalised services has been drawn up in consultation with the social partners, in compliance with Article 7(4) of the EGF Regulation;

J. Whereas the EGF shall not exceed a maximum annual amount of EUR 30 million (in 2018 prices), as laid down in Article 8 of Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 2020/2093 of 17 December 2020 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027.

Therefore, the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs calls on the Committee on Budgets, as the committee responsible, to integrate the following suggestions in its motion for a resolution:

1. Recalls that the objective of the EGF is to demonstrate solidarity with, and provide support to beneficiaries; considers that financial contributions from the EGF should be primarily directed at active labour market policy measures and personalised services that aim to reintegrate beneficiaries rapidly into decent and sustainable employment within or outside their initial sector of activity; stresses the importance of preparing and supporting workers for the urgently needed green and digital transitions of the European economy and society; reiterates in this context the important role the Union plays, including through the EGF, in contributing to the financing of necessary qualifications for the just transition in line with the European Green Deal;

2. Agrees with the Commission that the conditions set out in Article 4(2)(a) of the EGF Regulation are met and that Belgium is entitled to a financial contribution of EUR 3 821 460 under that Regulation, which represents 85 % of the total cost of EUR 4 495 836, comprising expenditure for personalised services of EUR 4 441 774 and expenditure for preparatory, management, information and publicity, control and reporting activities of EUR 54 062;

3. Notes the fact that Belgium has provided all necessary assurances that the requirements laid down in national and EU legislation concerning collective redundancies have been complied with and that the principles of equality of treatment and non-discrimination will be respected in access to the proposed measures and their implementation;

4. Recalls the profile of the redundant workers, where more than half of the dismissed workers are women and about a third of the dismissed workers are over 50 years old, and considers that, along with the pressures of the labour market, the workers will need additional tailored support, particularly targeted assistance focusing on upskilling and retraining, to help them succeed the transition to employment;

5. Stresses that Belgium has confirmed that the measures supported by the EGF will not receive any financial contributions from other Union financial instruments;

6. Notes the personalised coordinated package to be provided to displaced workers consists of the following measures: (a) outplacement and vocational guidance (b) skills certification, (c) training, (d) support for business creation, (e) contribution to business start-up (the workers who start a business or a self-employed activity will receive a contribution up to EUR 15 000), and (f) incentives and allowances ((1) Job-search allowances, where workers will receive EUR 2 per hour of effective participation in job-search activities entitled to the allowance; (2) Return-to-school allowance, where a monthly allowance of EUR 350 will be granted to workers who embark on full-time secondary or tertiary studies, or qualifying training to acquire the necessary skills for jobs that are in demand and for which recruiting is difficult or linked to critical functions; (3) allowance towards business creation, where to support workers during setting up business, a monthly allowance of EUR 350 will be granted for a maximum of 12 months or up to 18 months under certain conditions);

7. Recalls the possibility for special time-limited measures within the coordinated package including, inter alia, to pay childcare allowances, as provided in Article 7(2)(b) of the EGF regulation to facilitate job seekers’ participation in the activities proposed.