Finland to apply for EU support in connection with Anttila redundancies
Finland applies for financial support from the European Union for layoffs due to Anttila's bankruptcy. The aim is to submit the application, being prepared by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, to the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) later this autumn. Anttila declared bankruptcy and layoffs concerning about 1 300 persons on 19 July 2016.
The amount of the funding Finland is going apply for from the EGF will be confirmed later. Services and support measures for the employees who were laid off will get started before the actual submission of the application.
– The EU support will allow us to guarantee personalised services. In many locations the Employment and Economic Development Offices are already offering support to the people laid off from Anttila, and now we will move forward to introduce even more effective measures in various parts of Finland, says Minister of Justice and Employment Jari Lindström.
This is the first time when Finland applies for support for those laid off from the retail sector. There are new aspects relating to the application with regard to the administration and implementation as well. In the earlier projects by means of EGF support the layoffs have concerned certain specific locations only, but now they touch upon the whole of Finland. Finland has received funding from the EGF to support employees laid off from the ICT sector, shipbuilding industry and universities.
The EU co-funds 60% of the support via the EGF, while the national contribution is set at 40%. In cases of major structural change, EGF support is granted for active employment policy measures, including as different types of training, education, promotion of mobility, pay subsidies and start-up grants. Further information about the fund is available at www.egr.fi/en.
Inquiries:
Tapani Kojonsaari, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 50 456 2547
Outi Viljamaa, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 504 7982