EU proposes €2.7m aid for laid-off Match-Smatch workers

The European Commission said on Monday it is proposing to support 365 workers laid off by Belgian retail chain Match-Smatch through €2.7 million ($3 million) from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF).

In June 2024, Belgium applied for the EGF funding to help workers in the Walloon region find new employment.

The funds will assist lower-skilled workers aged 50 years and older in the Walloon region, helping them re-enter the workforce following the company’s closures.

The EGF funding will cover job search assistance, vocational and digital skills training, and advisory services. Dismissed workers will also have access to start-up grants of up to €15,000 and hiring incentives for companies that recruit former Match-Smatch employees.

The total cost of the support measures is estimated at €3.1 million, with 85 per cent covered by the EGF and 15 per cent by the Walloon region. The proposal awaits approval from the European Parliament and the Council.