The European Parliament has approved the allocation of €7.5 million in EU funds to support workers affected by the closure of the Audi factory in Brussels. The funding, drawn from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF), will assist 3,414 individuals who lost their jobs following the plant’s shutdown.
The decision was made during a plenary session, with 593 votes in favor, 55 against, and 9 abstentions. The financial support targets both former Audi employees and workers from supplier firms—2,580 and 834 people respectively. Assistance measures funded by the EU will include career guidance, job-search help, skills training, and aid for those interested in starting their own businesses.
MEPs voiced regret over Audi’s choice to end operations in Belgium despite being profitable. They noted that production is moving to China and Mexico and expressed concern about difficult production conditions in Belgium, such as limited access to affordable clean energy sources.
The total value of the support package is estimated at €8.8 million. The EU will cover 85% (€7.5 million), while Belgian regional public employment services will provide the remaining 15% (€1.3 million).
Under current EGF rules covering 2021-2027, member states can request funding when at least 200 workers are laid off due to significant restructuring events. If applications meet EGF criteria, the European Commission proposes funding mobilization which must then be approved by both Parliament and Council. Since its creation, the EGF has supported more than 181,000 people across 20 member states with €727 million distributed over 186 cases.
