Helping Belgium Workers Affected by Company Bankruptcies

• The European Parliament approved a resolution on 26 March 2026 that authorises the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) to help workers who lost jobs because of major restructuring.
• Belgium asked for help after Casa International NV and Casa Logistics NV went bankrupt, causing 416 job losses in Antwerp (Flanders) between 6 March 2025 and 6 July 2025.
• 257 of the losses were in retail, 159 in warehousing.
• 67.5 % of the affected workers are women.
• The EGF can spend up to €30 million a year. Belgium is entitled to €1 916 733, which is 85 % of the total cost of €2 254 980.
• €2 168 980 will fund personalised services (training, job‑search help, etc.).
• €86 000 will cover preparation, management, information, control and reporting.
• The decision will apply from the date it is published in the Official Journal and will be part of the 2026 EU budget.
• The resolution stresses that the fund should be used quickly, that women’s specific needs must be met, that training and up‑skilling are essential, and that the EGF is a complementary tool, not a replacement for national measures.
• It also calls for clear monitoring, evaluation of results, and public communication of how the money is used.

Broader Context

The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) is a special EU fund created to help workers who lose their jobs because of big changes in world trade, economic crises, or company closures. It is not for every job loss, but only when many workers are affected at once, like in this case with Casa International and Casa Logistics in Belgium. The fund is part of the EU’s effort to protect people from the negative effects of globalization and sudden economic shocks. It shows how the EU tries to support its members and workers when large companies fail or industries change rapidly.

The EGF is funded by all EU countries and managed by the European Commission. Each year, the fund has a limited budget (€30 million in this case), and countries can ask for help if they meet strict rules. The money is used to retrain workers, help them find new jobs, or start their own businesses, rather than just giving them unemployment benefits.

Impact on EU Citizens

For a person living in the EU, this means that if a large company in their region closes or lays off many workers, the EU can step in to provide extra support. In this case, 416 workers in Antwerp will get help like job training, career advice, and other services to find new work. Since most of the affected workers are women, the program must pay special attention to their needs, such as flexible training schedules or support for balancing work and family life.

The fund does not replace national unemployment benefits or job programs, but adds to them. So, if someone loses their job in a similar situation, they might get both national and EU support. The EU also requires that the money is spent wisely and that results are shared publicly, so citizens can see how the fund is helping people in their community.

Why This Matters

This case shows how the EU works to reduce the impact of big economic changes on ordinary people. It also highlights the importance of training and new skills in today’s job market, where industries can change or disappear quickly. For young people, it’s a reminder that learning new skills is important for future job security.