The European Parliament today approved the request for mobilization of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund by the Trentino-Alto Adige / Südtirol (Italy) for the building construction sector.

"Once again, with this vote, Parliament showed the European Union's commitment and its closeness to the people. With the mobilization of this fund we can concretely help workers, who are victims of the economic crisis, to reintegrate and resettle in the job market in the best way," said Barbara Matera MEP, Standing Rapporteur for the European Parliament on the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund.

The amount provided for this request is equal to approximately EUR 3,918,850 for the support of 528 workers in the construction industry, who belong to 323 companies in the provinces of Trento and Bolzano.

"I also want to draw attention once again to the fact that, on Thursday 2 December in the Council, delegations from the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Latvia, Czech Republic and Slovakia rejected the extension of the derogation on the EGF for causes linked to the economic crisis, on which the Parliament had already voted favourably, and planned to apply until 2013".

"I think this was an irresponsible decision by the Council in a time of severe crisis and sacrifice for the citizens of Europe. They now withheld their support for the labour market, undermining the principle of solidarity that characterizes Europe, as well as the trust that our citizens have in the institutions," said Barbara Matera MEP.

The EGF, put in place by the EU in 2006, is a concrete response to unemployment resulting from globalisation and, as a temporary measure adopted in 2009, from the economic and social crisis. The financial aid provided by the EGF has an annual ceiling of €500 million and is mainly allocated to job-search assistance, tailor-made retraining, promoting entrepreneurship, aid for self-employment and special temporary 'income supplements' such as: job-search, mobility and training allowances, measures to stimulate disadvantaged or older workers to remain in or return to the labour market, etc. The Fund can pay up to 65% of the total cost, with the remainder paid by the Member State, the region or the local authority.

For further information:

Barbara MATERA MEP, Tel: +33-3-88177236

Francesco Frapiccini, EPP Group Press & Communications Service, Tel: +32-473-941652

Notes to Editors:

The EPP Group is by far the largest political group in the European Parliament with 272 Members.