Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers following an application from Belgium - EGF/2025/007 BE/Casa

AM_Com_NonLegReport

Amendment 1

Angéline Furet, Julien Sanchez

Motion for a resolution

Citation 5

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

– having regard to the European Pillar of Social Rights,

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Amendment 2

Angéline Furet, Julien Sanchez

Motion for a resolution

Recital A

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

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, and to assist their reintegration into the labour market; whereas this assistance is made through a financial support given to workers;

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, which are exacerbated by unfair and deregulated international competition, and to assist their reintegration into the labour market; whereas this assistance is made through a financial support given to workers;

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Amendment 3

Jean-Marc Germain

Motion for a resolution

Recital D

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

D. whereas Casa filed for bankruptcy on 6 March 2025; whereas in Belgium bankruptcies are on the rise since 2022;

D. whereas Casa filed for bankruptcy on 6 March 2025; whereas in Belgium bankruptcies are on the rise since 2022, particularly in the retail sector, which is undergoing a profound structural transformation driven by the rise of e-commerce and shifting consumer habits; whereas these disruptions affect workers in low-wage, part-time and precarious employment, many of whom are women;

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Amendment 4

Angéline Furet, Julien Sanchez

Motion for a resolution

Recital D

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

D. whereas Casa filed for bankruptcy on 6 March 2025; whereas in Belgium bankruptcies are on the rise since 2022;

D. whereas Casa filed for bankruptcy on 6 March 2025; whereas in Europe bankruptcies are on the rise since 2022, largely driven by inflation and an energy crisis partly due to the European energy market system which has caused prices to explode;

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Amendment 5

Jean-Marc Germain

Motion for a resolution

Recital D a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

D a. whereas the retail sector employs a high share of women workers, often in part-time and low-paid positions; whereas it is therefore crucial that the support measures offered under this EGF application are tailored to address the specific needs and barriers faced by women in re-entering the labour market, including flexible training schedules and access to childcare support;

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Amendment 6

Isabel Benjumea Benjumea

Motion for a resolution

Recital G

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

G. whereas 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 offering them skills training to facilitate their access to the labour market, while preparing them for a greener and more digital European economy;

G. whereas 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 the labour market while offering them skills training to facilitate their access to the labour market;

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Amendment 7

Angéline Furet, Julien Sanchez

Motion for a resolution

Recital G

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

G. whereas 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 offering them skills training to facilitate their access to the labour market, while preparing them for a greener and more digital European economy;

G. whereas 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 offering them skills training to facilitate their access to the labour market, while preparing them for a more competitive, digital and reindustrialised European economy;

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Amendment 8

Alexander Jungbluth

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 1

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

1. Agrees with the Commission that the conditions set out in the EGF Regulation and in particular in Article 4(2), point (a), thereof are met and that Belgium is entitled to a financial contribution of EUR 1 916 733 under that Regulation, which represents 85 % of the total cost of EUR 2 254 980, comprising expenditure for personalised services of EUR 2 168 980 and expenditure for preparatory, management, information and publicity, control and reporting activities of EUR 86 000;

1. Considers that labour market policy and support for workers affected by bankruptcies fall primarily within the competence of the Member States in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 TEU; considers therefore that the mobilisation of the EGF is not justified;

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Amendment 9

Jean-Marc Germain

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 2

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

2. Notes that the Belgian authorities submitted the application on 23 September 2025, and that, following the receipt of additional information from Belgium, the Commission finalised its assessment on 6 February 2026 and notified it to Parliament on 11 February 2026;

2. Notes that the Belgian authorities submitted the application on 23 September 2025, and that, following the receipt of additional information from Belgium, the Commission finalised its assessment on 6 February 2026 and notified it to Parliament on 11 February 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;

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Amendment 10

Nicolae Ștefănuță

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

4. Takes note that Casa experienced financial difficulties for several years prior to the bankruptcy declaration, stemming from the growing prevalence of e-commerce, heightened international competition and unfair competitive conditions, which ultimately resulted in severe liquidity shortages and the inability to identify potential purchasers for the company;

4. Takes note that Casa experienced financial difficulties for several years prior to the bankruptcy declaration, stemming from the growing prevalence of e-commerce, heightened international competition and unfair competitive conditions, which ultimately resulted in severe liquidity shortages and the inability to identify potential purchasers for the company; highlights the need for enhancing of business management’s capacity to prevent lay-offs by adapting to current geopolitical context and to proactively cope with major restructuring events; therefore, calls on the Member States to utilise available EU funds for this purpose, including innovative vocational trainings;

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Amendment 11

Angéline Furet, Julien Sanchez

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

4. Takes note that Casa experienced financial difficulties for several years prior to the bankruptcy declaration, stemming from the growing prevalence of e-commerce, heightened international competition and unfair competitive conditions, which ultimately resulted in severe liquidity shortages and the inability to identify potential purchasers for the company;

4. Takes note that Casa experienced financial difficulties for several years prior to the bankruptcy declaration, stemming from the growing prevalence of e-commerce, heightened international competition and unfair competitive conditions exacerbated by the European Commission's free trade policies and its failure to protect the internal market, which ultimately resulted in severe liquidity shortages and the inability to identify potential purchasers for the company;

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Amendment 12

Alexander Jungbluth

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

4. Takes note that Casa experienced financial difficulties for several years prior to the bankruptcy declaration, stemming from the growing prevalence of e-commerce, heightened international competition and unfair competitive conditions, which ultimately resulted in severe liquidity shortages and the inability to identify potential purchasers for the company;

4. Takes note that Casa experienced financial difficulties for several years prior to the bankruptcy declaration, stemming primarily from structural and managerial challenges at company level and broader economic conditions within the Member State;

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Amendment 13

Jean-Marc Germain

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 5

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

5. Notes that, while displaced sales assistants have most favourable employment prospects, warehouse workers face greater difficulties in securing new positions and require additional support through upskilling, reskilling, relocation, or redeployment; calls on Belgian authorities to provide specific tailored support to help workers overcome their shortcomings and find new jobs aligned with labour market needs;

5. Notes that, while displaced sales assistants have most favourable employment prospects, warehouse workers face greater difficulties in securing new positions and require additional support through upskilling, reskilling, relocation, or redeployment; calls on Belgian authorities to provide specific tailored support to help workers overcome their shortcomings and find new jobs aligned with labour market needs; emphasizes that reintegrating the laid-off workers is key to a future-proof European economy with a strong industrial base;

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Amendment 14

Angéline Furet, Julien Sanchez

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 5

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

5. Notes that, while displaced sales assistants have most favourable employment prospects, warehouse workers face greater difficulties in securing new positions and require additional support through upskilling, reskilling, relocation, or redeployment; calls on Belgian authorities to provide specific tailored support to help workers overcome their shortcomings and find new jobs aligned with labour market needs;

5. Notes that, while displaced sales assistants have most favourable employment prospects, warehouse workers face greater difficulties in securing new positions and require additional support through upskilling, reskilling, relocation, or redeployment while prioritising local employment to avoid forced geographical mobility; calls to provide specific tailored support to help workers enhance their skills and find new jobs aligned with the local labour market needs;

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Amendment 15

Jean-Marc Germain

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 6

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

6. Regrets that the rise in bankruptcies over the past two years had a negative impact on the employment rate in some regions in Belgium, particularly in Brussels and Olen (Province of Antwerp); notes that around 45 000 jobs were lost in Belgium within 18 months due to bankruptcies, mostly occurred in Flanders; stresses the importance of a business-friendly environment that enables enterprises to remain competitive, creates jobs and contributes to sustainable economic growth.

6. Regrets that the rise in bankruptcies over the past two years had a negative impact on the employment rate in some regions in Belgium, particularly in Brussels and Olen (Province of Antwerp); notes that around 45 000 jobs were lost in Belgium within 18 months due to bankruptcies, mostly occurred in Flanders; emphasizes that in Flanders the unemployment risk is more than double for people with a low-level of education; stresses the importance of a business-friendly environment that enables enterprises to remain competitive, creates jobs and contributes to sustainable economic growth;

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Amendment 16

Angéline Furet, Julien Sanchez

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 6

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

6. Regrets that the rise in bankruptcies over the past two years had a negative impact on the employment rate in some regions in Belgium, particularly in Brussels and Olen (Province of Antwerp); notes that around 45 000 jobs were lost in Belgium within 18 months due to bankruptcies, mostly occurred in Flanders; stresses the importance of a business-friendly environment that enables enterprises to remain competitive, creates jobs and contributes to sustainable economic growth.

6. Regrets that the rise in bankruptcies over the past two years had a negative impact on the employment rate in some regions in Belgium, particularly in Brussels and Olen (Province of Antwerp); notes that around 45 000 jobs were lost in Belgium within 18 months due to bankruptcies, mostly occurred in Flanders; stresses the importance of a business-friendly environment freed from excessive European over-regulation that enables enterprises to remain competitive, creates jobs and contributes to real economic growth;

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Amendment 17

Alexander Jungbluth

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 6

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

6. Regrets that the rise in bankruptcies over the past two years had a negative impact on the employment rate in some regions in Belgium, particularly in Brussels and Olen (Province of Antwerp); notes that around 45 000 jobs were lost in Belgium within 18 months due to bankruptcies, mostly occurred in Flanders; stresses the importance of a business-friendly environment that enables enterprises to remain competitive, creates jobs and contributes to sustainable economic growth.

6. Regrets that the rise in bankruptcies over the past two years had a negative impact on the employment rate in some regions in Belgium, particularly in Brussels and Olen (Province of Antwerp); notes that around 45 000 jobs were lost in Belgium within 18 months due to bankruptcies, mostly occurred in Flanders; stresses that sustainable job creation depends primarily on sound national economic policies, reduced regulatory burdens and competitive taxation, rather than on temporary Union financial instruments;

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Amendment 18

Jean-Marc Germain

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 7

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

7. Recalls that, in agreement with experts and social partners, personalised services to be provided to the workers consist of the following measures: info-sessions for guidance on work reintegration; outplacement services to guide workers in their job searching; active mediation focusing on each jobseeker’s profile; personalised programmes for skills development, including IT skills; training and retraining; individual training at the workplace; participation at job fair; emphasises the importance of fostering high-quality, future-oriented jobs that strengthen competitiveness and support digital transformation, while ensuring that the EGF is properly implemented and contributes to the Union’s long-term economic and social resilience;

7. Recalls that, in agreement with experts and social partners, personalised services to be provided to the workers consist of the following measures: info-sessions for guidance on work reintegration; outplacement services to guide workers in their job searching; active mediation focusing on each jobseeker’s profile; personalised programmes for skills development, including IT skills; training and retraining; individual training at the workplace; participation at job fair; emphasises the importance of fostering high-quality, future-oriented jobs that strengthen competitiveness and support digital transformation, while ensuring that the EGF is properly implemented and contributes to the Union’s long-term economic and social resilience; 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;

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Amendment 19

Alexander Jungbluth

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 7

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

7. Recalls that, in agreement with experts and social partners, personalised services to be provided to the workers consist of the following measures: info-sessions for guidance on work reintegration; outplacement services to guide workers in their job searching; active mediation focusing on each jobseeker’s profile; personalised programmes for skills development, including IT skills; training and retraining; individual training at the workplace; participation at job fair; emphasises the importance of fostering high-quality, future-oriented jobs that strengthen competitiveness and support digital transformation, while ensuring that the EGF is properly implemented and contributes to the Union’s long-term economic and social resilience;

7. Recalls that, in agreement with experts and social partners, personalised services to be provided to the workers consist of the following measures: info-sessions for guidance on work reintegration; outplacement services to guide workers in their job searching; active mediation focusing on each jobseeker’s profile; personalised programmes for skills development, including IT skills; training and retraining; individual training at the workplace; participation at job fair; emphasises the importance of fostering high-quality, future-oriented jobs that strengthen competitiveness and support digital transformation, while ensuring that the EGF is properly implemented and contributes to the Union’s long-term economic and social resilience; recalls that similar measures can be financed through existing national instruments and the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), raising concerns about overlap and efficiency of the Union spending;

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Amendment 20

Angéline Furet, Julien Sanchez

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 7

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

7. Recalls that, in agreement with experts and social partners, personalised services to be provided to the workers consist of the following measures: info-sessions for guidance on work reintegration; outplacement services to guide workers in their job searching; active mediation focusing on each jobseeker’s profile; personalised programmes for skills development, including IT skills; training and retraining; individual training at the workplace; participation at job fair; emphasises the importance of fostering high-quality, future-oriented jobs that strengthen competitiveness and support digital transformation, while ensuring that the EGF is properly implemented and contributes to the Union’s long-term economic and social resilience;

7. Recalls that, in agreement with experts and social partners, personalised services to be provided to the workers consist of the following measures: info-sessions for guidance on work reintegration; outplacement services to guide workers in their job searching; active mediation focusing on each jobseeker’s profile; personalised programmes for skills development, including IT skills; training and retraining; individual training at the workplace; participation at job fair; emphasises the importance of fostering high-quality, future-oriented jobs that strengthen competitiveness and support digital transformation, while ensuring that the EGF is properly implemented and contributes to the Member States' long-term economic resilience;

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Amendment 21

Jean-Marc Germain

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 7 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

7 a. 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; stresses that the Union’s primary task must be to prevent such closures in the first place, by creating the conditions to keep industrial production competitive, while at the same time investing in skills for both highly qualified and industrial workers; underlines the need to provide specific support tailored to profiles of workers with low-levels of education, while taking measures to reduce bankruptcies and address social disparities leading to exclusion from the workforce;

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Amendment 22

Isabel Benjumea Benjumea

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 7 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

7 a. Highlights the importance of an impact evaluation of this fund and the measures associated with it, in order to assess whether they have actually achieved the objectives for which the EGF was created, including an assessment of the affected workers and the jobs they have accessed, as well as the timelines involved;

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Amendment 23

Alexander Jungbluth

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 8

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

8. 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;

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Amendment 24

Alexander Jungbluth

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 9

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

9. Calls for thorough final evaluations of the measures implemented, including clear information on how the funds have been used, on the success of the reintegrating of workers into the labour market, and whether the measures have achieved the objectives for which the EGF was created;

9. Calls for a comprehensive and independent cost-benefit analysis of the EGF, including an assessment of long-term reintegration rates and administrative costs, before any further mobilisation of the Fund;

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Amendment 25

Angéline Furet, Julien Sanchez

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 12

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

12. Notes that the Belgian authorities provided assurance that the principles of equality of treatment and non-discrimination will be respected in the access to the proposed actions and their implementation, and that any double financing will be prevented;

12. Notes that the Belgian authorities provided assurance that the principles of equality of treatment and non-discrimination will be respected in the access to the proposed actions and their implementation, without this leading to any form of positive discrimination or ideological quotas, and that any double financing will be prevented;

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Amendment 26

Alexander Jungbluth

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 13 a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

13 a. Recalls that the EGF was designed as an exceptional and temporary instrument and questions its continued expansion and routine use in cases of national bankruptcies;

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Amendment 27

Alexander Jungbluth

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 14

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

14. Approves the decision annexed to this resolution;

14. Rejects the decision annexed to this resolution;

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