Commission proposes to support over 250 dismissed workers in Belgium with €1.6 million

January 21, 2026 by European Union Leave a Comment

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This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

The European Commission has proposed to mobilise €1.6 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) to help 267 workers dismissed after the bankruptcy and closure of Tupperware Belgium in February 2025.

The support will help these workers learn new skills and quickly rejoin the labour market, financing measures such as career counselling and guidance, job-search events, or training in new professional and horizontal skills.

The total estimated cost of these measures is €1.9 million, with 85% (€1.6 million) covered by the Commission and 15% (€300,000) by the Flemish Public Employment Service (VDAB). The Belgian authorities began providing EGF support to the workers in February 2025, right after the company’s bankruptcy. The EGF can retroactively cover these costs.

Next steps

The Commission proposal now requires approval by the European Parliament and the Council. It needs a simple majority in the European Parliament and a qualified majority in the Council.

Background

Since 2007, the EGF has intervened in 186 cases, allocating €727 million helping more than 181,000 people in 20 Member States. EGF-supported measures complement national active labour market measures.

According to the latest biennial EGF activity report, more than eight in ten (81%) dismissed workers have found a new job within 18 months of receiving EGF support.

The EGF contributes directly to the creation of a more dynamic and competitive European economy by improving the skills and employability of dismissed people and facilitating the general upskilling in European companies, leading towards better quality jobs.

Helping European workers learn and improve their skills for the demands of a rapidly evolving job market is a priority for the European Commission.

In November 2025, the Commission launched a Skills Guarantee pilot to support workers in transition so they can learn new skills. The flagship initiative under the Union of Skills will reinforce strategic sectors in line with the future European Competitiveness Fund.

For more information

Commission proposal for EGF support to dismissed Tupperware workers

Website of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund

EGF regulation 2021-2027

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