Skip to content
DRAFT REPORT (COM(2026)0004 – C100062/2026 – 2026/0066(BUD))

On the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers following an application from Belgium– EGF/2025/008/BE/Liberty

BUDG-PR-785333

Committee on Budgets · Rapporteur: Matthias Ecke

Official HTML ↗ PDF DOCX
✦ In shortFull text
✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

This draft report concerns the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) for Belgium following 507 redundancies at Liberty in Wallonia. It approves the Commission's proposal to grant Belgium EUR 2,033,869, representing 85% of the total cost of EUR 2,392,788. The report notes the background of the bankruptcy, the characteristics of the workers, and the planned personalised services. It stresses the need for visibility of Union funding, thorough evaluations, and respect for principles of equality and non-discrimination.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes that Parliament approve the Commission's proposal to mobilise the EGF for Belgium, as the conditions are met.

Key points

  1. Agrees with the Commission that Belgium meets the EGF conditions and is entitled to a financial contribution of EUR 2,033,869, which is 85% of the total cost of EUR 2,392,788.
  2. Notes the application was submitted on 13 November 2025 and the Commission notified Parliament on 2 March 2026; stresses the need to shorten the time between application and financing decision.
  3. Notes the application relates to 507 targeted beneficiaries made redundant by Liberty.
  4. Notes Liberty faced financial difficulties due to adverse steel market conditions, COVID-19 disruptions, high energy prices, and company-specific factors after acquisition by GFG Alliance; regrets production did not resume.
  5. Notes Wallonia's deindustrialisation and that Liberty's bankruptcy is a major social shock; recalls that 1 in 4 job seekers in Wallonia are over 50, 52% of workers are 55 or more, and 69% have low education.
  6. Recalls that personalised services include outplacement, training, support for business creation, and incentives, as agreed with trade unions and regional authorities.
  7. Emphasises fostering high-quality, future-oriented jobs for long-term resilience.
  8. Stresses Belgian authorities must ensure visibility of Union funding and provide effective information to beneficiaries and stakeholders.
  9. Calls for thorough final evaluations of measures, including fund use and worker reintegration.
  10. Notes personalised services started on 1 June 2025 and are eligible for 24 months after the financing decision; administrative expenditure is eligible from 22 April 2025 for 31 months.
  11. Notes assurance that equality and non-discrimination will be respected and double financing prevented.
  12. Reiterates that EGF assistance must not replace actions by public authorities or companies under national law or collective agreements.

Who is affected

  • Workers made redundant by Liberty in Wallonia, Belgium, who will receive personalised services funded by the EGF.
  • Belgian authorities, including Région Wallone and Le Forem, responsible for implementing measures and ensuring visibility.

Figures and deadlines

  • 507 displacements in Liberty Galaţi Belgian Branch.
  • EUR 2,033,869 financial contribution, 85% of total cost of EUR 2,392,788.
  • EUR 2,358,922 for personalised services and EUR 33,866 for preparatory activities.
  • 52% of workers aged 55 or more; 69% have low education.
  • 1 in 4 registered job seekers in Wallonia are over 50.

Legal basis: Regulation (EU) 2021/691 on the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers, and Article 8 of Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093.