NEWS | Wednesday, 09 March 2008

Council of Ministers approves Malta’s request from EU Globalisation Fund to assist redundant VF, Bortex workers

The European Council of Ministers on Monday approved Malta’s request for a €681,207 donation from the European Union (EU)’s Globalisation Fund to assist those workers who had lost their jobs as a result of the mass redundancies from VF (Malta) Limited and Bortex Clothing Ind. Co. Ltd last year.
Malta had made this request after 675 people lost their jobs because Malta, “like the rest of Europe, was not competitive anymore in traditional sectors, particularly the textiles sector,” a statement by the Ministry for Communications and National Projects said.
In September last year, the Maltese Government had requested assistance from the EU to help these redundant works to find jobs in new industries, as the majority of them has already done.
The funds granted under the European Fund for the adjustment for globalization are used to assist those workers who have lost their jobs from traditional industries as a result of globalization to get advice about getting a new direction in their careers, training to take up new jobs, assistance if they want to set up as self-employed, and special measures for middle-aged workers.
This in addition to the financial benefits that are usually granted to unemployed workers.
Minister for Communications and National Projects Austin Gatt took part in the European Council meeting on Transport, Telecommunications and Energy on behalf of Malta.