EUR 3.5 million to help people made redundant from Microsoft

The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund EGF grants Finland EUR 3.5 million to assist those laid off from Microsoft. Funds will be used to help the about 1,000 people made redundant in finding new jobs.

On 13 September 2017 the European Parliament approved the application submitted by Finland to the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund EGF in February.

– EU support has been highly important for the re-employment of people who have been made redundant because of the rapid transformation of the Finnish ICT sector. Our sincere hope is that no new applications will be needed, but this kind of dramatic layoffs that send shockwaves all through the sector are now over, says Minister of Labour Jari Lindström.

– We firmly believe that the people laid off from Microsoft will soon find new jobs. The recovery of Finland’s economy has significantly increased the demand for skilled labour, and Finnish ICT expertise is highly competitive in the global context, the Minister says.

Measures in support of re-employment and starting new businesses have already been launched in the localities affected by the redundancies. Measures by means of the EU funds to be taken in the regions will be coordinated with Microsoft’s own measures to support re-employment.

EU support sought for layoff in the trade sector as well

The European Union institutions are currently processing an application submitted by Finland in June 2017 concerning support for those made redundant in the retail and wholesale sector. Funds would be used to help more than 1,500 people laid off in the trade sector.

In support from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund the EU’s funding share is 60 per cent and the national contribution is 40 per cent. In cases of major structural change, EGF support is granted for active employment policy measures, such as different forms of training, education, promotion of mobility, pay subsidies and start-up grants.

Further information about the fund is available at www.egr.fi (in finnish)   

Inquiries:
Tapani Kojonsaari, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 50 456 2547
Juha Halttunen, Special Adviser to the Minister of Employment, tel. + 358 50 574 0236