European Commission allocates €8 million to support laid-off Van Hool workers

In April 2023, Van Hool, a bus manufacturer, filed for bankruptcy, leading to significant job losses in Mechelen, Belgium. The bankruptcy affected numerous workers, with a particularly notable demographic being those aged 54 and older, who constituted one in three of those dismissed. Additionally, one in four dismissed workers were low-skilled, indicating that their search for new employment would be even more challenging. In response to the growing unemployment crisis and the request from Belgium, the European Commission announced a release of 8 million euros from the globalization fund to aid former Van Hool employees. The package includes a variety of support measures aimed at facilitating job placement through job search assistance, advice, and training, acknowledging the struggles of older workers and those with limited skills. Furthermore, the Flemish Public Employment and Vocational Training Service (VDAB) is contributing an additional 1.4 million euros to this initiative, underscoring a collective effort to tackle the repercussions of the bankruptcy. Since the inception of the globalization fund in 2007, approximately €700 million has been disbursed, benefiting over 170,000 individuals affected by large-scale business restructuring across the European Union.