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amendment list, 15 September 2026

Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers following an application from Belgium – EGF/2026/001 BE/Cora

Document BUDG-AM-792086 · (2026/0197(BUD))

Committee on Budgets

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Text 198 paragraphs

Amendment 1

Angéline Furet

Motion for a resolution

Citation 5

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
– having regard to the European Pillar of Social Rights,deleted

Or. en

Amendment 2

Hélder Sousa Silva, Andrzej Halicki

Motion for a resolution

Recital A

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
A. whereas the Union has set up legislative and budgetary instruments to provide additional support to workers who are suffering from the consequences of major structural events and changes in world trade patterns or who are affected by imminent job displacement in enterprises undergoing restructuring, to assist their rapid reintegration into the labour market or their career transitions and to provide training to better equip workers with skills aligned to the labour market needs; whereas this assistance is made through a financial support given to workers;A. whereas the Union has set up legislative and budgetary instruments to provide additional support to workers who are suffering from the consequences of major structural events and changes in world trade patterns or who are affected by imminent job displacement in enterprises undergoing restructuring, to assist their rapid reintegration into the labour market or their career transitions and to provide training, retraining and vocational training to better equip workers with skills aligned to the labour market needs; whereas this assistance is made through a financial support given to workers; whereas the support should be directed to the rapid reintegration of workers;

Or. en

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Amendment 3

Giuseppe Lupo

Motion for a resolution

Recital A

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
A. whereas the Union has set up legislative and budgetary instruments to provide additional support to workers who are suffering from the consequences of major structural events and changes in world trade patterns or who are affected by imminent job displacement in enterprises undergoing restructuring, to assist their rapid reintegration into the labour market or their career transitions and to provide training to better equip workers with skills aligned to the labour market needs; whereas this assistance is made through a financial support given to workers;A. whereas the Union has set up legislative and budgetary instruments to provide additional support to workers who are suffering from the consequences of major structural events and changes in world trade patterns or who are affected by imminent job displacement in enterprises undergoing restructuring, to assist their sustainable reintegration into the labour market or their career transitions and to provide training to better equip workers with skills aligned to the labour market needs; whereas this assistance is made through a financial support given to workers;

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Amendment 4

Elena Kountoura

Motion for a resolution

Recital A a (new)

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
Aa. whereas the use of the EGF remains limited and geographically uneven across the Union; whereas several Member States have not yet used the Fund, despite experiencing restructuring and job losses; whereas greater awareness, earlier coordination with social partners and enhanced technical assistance for national and regional authorities are needed to ensure visibility and timely and effective access to the EGF for eligible workers and regions affected by major restructuring events;

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Amendment 5

Giuseppe Lupo

Motion for a resolution

Recital D

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
D. whereas Cora, despite numerous measures over the past decade to strengthen its financial position, has been forced into progressive down-sizing and successive waves of collective redundancies since September 2025; whereas these developments take place against a broader backdrop of profound changes in the retail sector, including the rapid growth of e-commerce, intensifying competition from non-EU online retailers, including Chinese platforms, and increased pressure on non European retailers from lower-cost competitors that may not be subject to equivalent regulatory and production standards;D. whereas Cora, despite numerous measures over the past decade to strengthen its financial position, has been forced into progressive down-sizing and successive waves of collective redundancies since September 2025; whereas these developments take place against a broader backdrop of profound changes in the retail sector, including the rapid growth of e-commerce, intensifying competition from non-EU online retailers, including Chinese platforms, and increased pressure on non European retailers from lower-cost competitors that may not be subject to equivalent regulatory and production standards; whereas these disruptions disproportionally affect workers in low-wage, part-time and precarious employment;

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Amendment 6

Hélder Sousa Silva, Andrzej Halicki

Motion for a resolution

Recital D

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
D. whereas Cora, despite numerous measures over the past decade to strengthen its financial position, has been forced into progressive down-sizing and successive waves of collective redundancies since September 2025; whereas these developments take place against a broader backdrop of profound changes in the retail sector, including the rapid growth of e-commerce, intensifying competition from non-EU online retailers, including Chinese platforms, and increased pressure on non European retailers from lower-cost competitors that may not be subject to equivalent regulatory and production standards;D. whereas Cora, despite numerous measures over the past decade to strengthen its financial position, has been forced into progressive down-sizing and successive waves of collective redundancies since September 2025; whereas these developments take place against a broader backdrop of profound changes in the retail sector, including the rapid growth of e-commerce, intensifying competition from non-EU online retailers, including Chinese platforms, and increased pressure on non European retailers from lower-cost competitors that may not be subject to equivalent regulatory and production standards; whereas in Belgium bankruptcies are on the rise since 2022, and unemployment rate is above the Union average;

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Amendment 7

Hélder Sousa Silva, Andrzej Halicki

Motion for a resolution

Recital F a (new)

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
Fa. whereas financial contributions from the EGF should be primarily directed at active labour market policy measures and personalised services that aim to reintegrate beneficiaries rapidly into the labour market or support their career transitions while offering them skills training to facilitate their reintegration and develop and strengthen digital autonomy;

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Amendment 8

Alexander Jungbluth

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 1 a (new)

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
1a. Considers that support for displaced workers should primarily be financed and organised through national and regional employment and social protection systems, with employers fulfilling their obligations under national law and collective agreements; opposes the mobilisation of the EGF in this case and considers that the proposed expenditure should be covered through those mechanisms rather than through an additional contribution from the Union budget;

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Amendment 9

Giuseppe Lupo

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 2

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
2. Notes that the Belgian authorities submitted the application on 25 March 2026, and that, following the receipt of additional information from Belgium, the Commission finalised its assessment on 16 July 2026 and notified it to Parliament on 24 August 2026;2. Notes that the Belgian authorities submitted the application on 25 March 2026, and that, following the receipt of additional information from Belgium, the Commission finalised its assessment on 16 July 2026 and notified it to Parliament on 24 August 2026; stresses the importance of shortening the time between the submission of an application for EGF assistance and the financing decision, while fully safeguarding the rights of the European Parliament as one arm of the budgetary authority;

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Amendment 10

Auke Zijlstra

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 2

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
2. Notes that the Belgian authorities submitted the application on 25 March 2026, and that, following the receipt of additional information from Belgium, the Commission finalised its assessment on 16 July 2026 and notified it to Parliament on 24 August 2026;2. Notes that the Belgian authorities submitted the application on 25 March 2026, and that, following the receipt of additional information from Belgium, the Commission finalised its assessment on 16 July 2026 and notified it to Parliament on 24 August 2026; is quite worried that this is the sixth appeal by Belgium to EGF in this year 2026, after Audi, Tupperware, Casa, Liberty and Soliver;

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Amendment 11

Angéline Furet

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 3

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
3. Notes that the application relates to 1 257 displaced workers whose activity ceased in Cora and one supplier; notes further that 1 010 displaced workers, residing in Wallonia, will be targeted beneficiaries;3. Notes that the application relates to 1 257 displaced workers whose activity ceased in Cora and one supplier; notes further that 1 010 displaced workers, residing in Wallonia, will be targeted beneficiaries; calls for the final evaluation to include the total cost per beneficiary, the share of expenditure effectively reaching displaced workers, the administrative costs of the measures and the proportion of beneficiaries having achieved sustainable reintegration into the labour market;

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Amendment 12

Giuseppe Lupo

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 3

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
3. Notes that the application relates to 1 257 displaced workers whose activity ceased in Cora and one supplier; notes further that 1 010 displaced workers, residing in Wallonia, will be targeted beneficiaries;3. Notes that the application relates to 1 257 displaced workers who were made redundant by Cora and one supplier; notes further that 1 010 displaced workers, residing in Wallonia, will be targeted beneficiaries;

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Amendment 13

Angéline Furet, Julien Sanchez

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
4. Takes note that Cora, hypermarket retailers, has struggled to adapt to changing consumer habits and, digital retail and heightened competition, with rising operating costs further exacerbating its financial difficulties; as well as intensifying competition, including from the rapid expansion of e-commerce and low-cost non-EU online retailers, with rising operating costs further exacerbating its financial difficulties; stresses that these developments underline the importance of a strong and competitive European economy and a business-friendly environment that enables companies to adapt to structural change and remain competitive; notes the impact of subsequent redundancies on Wallonia, particularly Hainaut; highlights the need to strengthen companies’ capacity to endure and adapt to market changes, safeguard competitiveness and prevent lay-offs where possible;4. Takes note that Cora, hypermarket retailers, has struggled to adapt to changing consumer habits and, digital retail and heightened competition, with rising operating costs further exacerbating its financial difficulties; as well as intensifying competition, including from the rapid expansion of e-commerce and low-cost non-EU online retailers, with rising operating costs further exacerbating its financial difficulties; stresses that these developments underline the importance of a strong and competitive European economy and a business-friendly environment that enables companies to adapt to structural change and remain competitive; notes the impact of subsequent redundancies on Wallonia, particularly Hainaut; highlights the need to strengthen companies’ capacity to endure and adapt to market changes, safeguard competitiveness and prevent lay-offs where possible; stresses that the difficulties faced by the retail sector must also be assessed in the light of unfair competition from non-European online platforms, including low-cost Chinese platforms, the Commission's trade policy and the increasing regulatory costs borne by European businesses;

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Amendment 14

Nicolae Ștefănuță

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
4. Takes note that Cora, hypermarket retailers, has struggled to adapt to changing consumer habits and, digital retail and heightened competition, with rising operating costs further exacerbating its financial difficulties; as well as intensifying competition, including from the rapid expansion of e-commerce and low-cost non-EU online retailers, with rising operating costs further exacerbating its financial difficulties; stresses that these developments underline the importance of a strong and competitive European economy and a business-friendly environment that enables companies to adapt to structural change and remain competitive; notes the impact of subsequent redundancies on Wallonia, particularly Hainaut; highlights the need to strengthen companies’ capacity to endure and adapt to market changes, safeguard competitiveness and prevent lay-offs where possible;4. Takes note that Cora, hypermarket retailers, has struggled to adapt to changing consumer habits and, digital retail and heightened competition, with rising operating costs further exacerbating its financial difficulties; as well as intensifying competition, including from the rapid expansion of e-commerce and low-cost non-EU online retailers, with rising operating costs further exacerbating its financial difficulties; stresses that these developments underline the importance of a strong and competitive European economy and a business-friendly environment that enables companies to adapt to structural change and remain competitive; notes the impact of subsequent redundancies on Wallonia, particularly Hainaut; highlights the need to strengthen companies’ capacity to endure and adapt to market changes, safeguard competitiveness and prevent lay-offs where possible; expresses hope that at least part of the workers will be re-employed in the entities opened at the locations in the seven former Cora hypermarkets where 95 % of the retail space is now leased;

Or. en

Amendment 15

Olivier Chastel, Lucia Yar, Joachim Streit

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
4. Takes note that Cora, hypermarket retailers, has struggled to adapt to changing consumer habits and, digital retail and heightened competition, with rising operating costs further exacerbating its financial difficulties; as well as intensifying competition, including from the rapid expansion of e-commerce and low-cost non-EU online retailers, with rising operating costs further exacerbating its financial difficulties; stresses that these developments underline the importance of a strong and competitive European economy and a business-friendly environment that enables companies to adapt to structural change and remain competitive; notes the impact of subsequent redundancies on Wallonia, particularly Hainaut; highlights the need to strengthen companies’ capacity to endure and adapt to market changes, safeguard competitiveness and prevent lay-offs where possible;4. Takes note that Cora, hypermarket retailers, has struggled to adapt to changing consumer habits and, digital retail and heightened competition, with rising operating costs further exacerbating its financial difficulties; as well as intensifying competition, including from the rapid expansion of e-commerce and low-cost non-EU online retailers, with rising operating costs further exacerbating its financial difficulties; recalls the necessity of ensuring a level playing field between European retailers and third-country companies; underline the importance of a strong and competitive European economy and a business-friendly environment that enables companies to adapt to structural change and remain competitive; notes the impact of subsequent redundancies on Wallonia, particularly Hainaut; highlights the need to strengthen European companies’ capacity to adapt to market changes, safeguard competitiveness and prevent lay-offs where possible;

Or. en

Amendment 16

Giuseppe Lupo

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
4. Takes note that Cora, hypermarket retailers, has struggled to adapt to changing consumer habits and, digital retail and heightened competition, with rising operating costs further exacerbating its financial difficulties; as well as intensifying competition, including from the rapid expansion of e-commerce and low-cost non-EU online retailers, with rising operating costs further exacerbating its financial difficulties; stresses that these developments underline the importance of a strong and competitive European economy and a business-friendly environment that enables companies to adapt to structural change and remain competitive; notes the impact of subsequent redundancies on Wallonia, particularly Hainaut; highlights the need to strengthen companies’ capacity to endure and adapt to market changes, safeguard competitiveness and prevent lay-offs where possible;4. Takes note that Cora, hypermarket retailers, has struggled to adapt to changing consumer habits and, digital retail and heightened competition, with rising operating costs further exacerbating its financial difficulties; as well as intensifying competition, including from the rapid expansion of e-commerce and low-cost non-EU online retailers, with rising operating costs further exacerbating its financial difficulties; stresses that these developments underline the importance of a strong and competitive European economy and a business-friendly environment that enables companies to adapt to structural change and remain competitive; notes the impact of subsequent redundancies on Wallonia, particularly Hainaut; highlights the need to strengthen companies’ capacity to anticipate and endure and adapt to market changes, while safeguarding quality and sustainable employment and workers’ rights, in order to prevent lay-offs where possible;

Or. en

Amendment 17

Hélder Sousa Silva, Andrzej Halicki

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4 a (new)

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
4a. Regrets that the recent increment in bankruptcies has considerably increased the unemployment rate in Belgium, particularly in Wallonia, with Hainaut as the most disadvantaged province; highlights the need to prevent structural regional decline and to create high-quality, future-oriented jobs in order to strengthen long-term economic and social resilience; stresses the need for policies that foster industrial competitiveness, social cohesion and regional development;

Or. en

Amendment 18

Hélder Sousa Silva, Andrzej Halicki

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4 b (new)

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
4b. Emphasises that the Union needs a business-friendly environment, which leverages economic growth, promotes innovation, supports technological development, strengthens competitiveness, reduces unnecessary regulatory burdens and simplifies bureaucratic procedures; recalls that strong and competitive businesses are essential to sustain high-quality jobs, drive economic growth, promote territorial, economic and social cohesion, and reinforce Europe’s strategic resilience;

Or. en

Amendment 19

Giuseppe Lupo

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 5

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
5. Takes note that eight in ten displaced workers have an educational attainment of upper secondary level or lower, with one in three being aged over 54; emphasizes that targeted and tailored support facilitates their sustainable reintegration into the labour market; highlights that successful reintegration is instrumental to a resilient and competitive European economy;5. Takes note that eight in ten displaced workers have an educational attainment of upper secondary level or lower, with one in three being aged over 54, facing greater barriers to re-entering the labour market; calls on the Belgian and regional authorities to address social disparities and structural barriers preventing displaced workers from accessing quality employment, including age-related discrimination; emphasizes that targeted and tailored support facilitates their sustainable reintegration into the labour market; highlights that successful reintegration is instrumental to a resilient and competitive European economy;

Or. en

Amendment 20

Hélder Sousa Silva, Andrzej Halicki

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 5

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
5. Takes note that eight in ten displaced workers have an educational attainment of upper secondary level or lower, with one in three being aged over 54; emphasizes that targeted and tailored support facilitates their sustainable reintegration into the labour market; highlights that successful reintegration is instrumental to a resilient and competitive European economy;5. Takes note that eight in ten displaced workers have an educational attainment of upper secondary level or lower, with one in three being aged over 54; emphasizes that targeted and tailored support facilitates their sustainable reintegration into the labour market; highlights that successful reintegration is instrumental to a resilient and competitive European economy; stresses the need to align training with labour-market needs as they evolve in order to facilitate rapid reintegration into employment;

Or. en

Amendment 21

Giuseppe Lupo

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 6

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
6. Recalls that, in agreement with targeted beneficiaries, their representatives and social partners, personalised services to be provided to the displaced workers consist of the following measures: outplacement services providing vocational orientation, skills certification, training and re-training, support for business creation and contribution to start-up, incentives and allowances;6. Recalls that, in agreement with trade unions, experts and social partners, whose meaningful involvement is essential to the quality and legitimacy of the reintegration process, personalised services to be provided to the displaced workers consist of the following measures: outplacement services providing vocational orientation, skills certification, training and re-training, support for business creation and contribution to start-up, incentives and allowances; stresses that trade union representatives should be involved throughout the entire implementation of the EGF measures, including the monitoring phase, to ensure the quality and relevance of the support offered to beneficiaries;

Or. en

Amendment 22

Olivier Chastel, Lucia Yar

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 6

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
6. Recalls that, in agreement with targeted beneficiaries, their representatives and social partners, personalised services to be provided to the displaced workers consist of the following measures: outplacement services providing vocational orientation, skills certification, training and re-training, support for business creation and contribution to start-up, incentives and allowances;6. Recalls that, in agreement with targeted beneficiaries, their representatives and social partners, personalised services to be provided to the displaced workers consist of the following measures: outplacement services providing vocational orientation, skills certification, training and re-training, support for business creation and contribution to start-up, incentives and allowances in order to prevent long-term unemployment including for older workers;

Or. en

Amendment 23

Angéline Furet, Julien Sanchez

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 7

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
7. Stresses that the Belgian authorities shall ensure the visibility of the Union funding and highlight its added value by providing effective and targeted information to beneficiaries, regional and local authorities, social partners, and the wider public;deleted

Or. en

Amendment 24

Alexander Jungbluth

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 7

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
7. Stresses that the Belgian authorities shall ensure the visibility of the Union funding and highlight its added value by providing effective and targeted information to beneficiaries, regional and local authorities, social partners, and the wider public;7. Insists that expenditure on information and publicity be limited to what is necessary to inform eligible workers of the assistance available and to meet applicable legal requirements; calls on the Belgian authorities to avoid promotional expenditure beyond those purposes and to disclose the amounts spent on communication and publicity;

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Amendment 25

Elena Kountoura

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 7

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
7. Stresses that the Belgian authorities shall ensure the visibility of the Union funding and highlight its added value by providing effective and targeted information to beneficiaries, regional and local authorities, social partners, and the wider public;7. Stresses that the Belgian authorities shall ensure the visibility of the Union funding and highlight its added value by providing effective, clear and timely information to beneficiaries, regional and local authorities, social partners, and the wider public;

Or. en

Amendment 26

Giuseppe Lupo

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 7 a (new)

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
7a. Recalls that the EGF is an instrument of solidarity and just transition, and while it provides support following job losses, it cannot replace a proactive industrial policy; considers that the mobilisation of the EGF needs to be embedded in a larger policy response on all political levels to ensure that the workers affected find adequate opportunities in line with their qualifications and skills; underlines the need to provide specific support tailored to the needs and profiles of workers with lower levels of education, while taking measures to reduce bankruptcies and address social disparities leading to exclusion from the workforce;

Or. en

Amendment 27

Elena Kountoura

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 7 a (new)

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
7a. Underlines the need to further raise awareness of the EGF in some Member States and strengthen its visibility; calls on the Commission, in cooperation with the Member States and social partners, to strengthen outreach and technical assistance, with particular attention to national and regional authorities with no or limited experience in accessing EGF support;

Or. en

Amendment 28

Alexander Jungbluth

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 8

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
8. Calls for thorough final evaluations of the measures implemented, including clear information on the use of funds, the success of the reintegration of workers into the labour market and its effectiveness, to ensure accountability, sound financial management and the effective use of Union funds; reiterates the need for appropriate monitoring and control of the use of EGF funding;8. Calls for thorough final evaluations of the measures implemented, including clear information on the use of funds, the success of the reintegration of workers into the labour market and its effectiveness, to ensure accountability, sound financial management and the effective use of Union funds; reiterates the need for appropriate monitoring and control of the use of EGF funding; stresses that expenditure must be substantiated and subject to effective checks; calls on the Commission to ensure that unused amounts and expenditure found to be ineligible are recovered in accordance with the applicable rules, and that the final evaluation clearly identifies actual participation, employment outcomes and administrative costs;

Or. en

Amendment 29

Angéline Furet

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 8

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
8. Calls for thorough final evaluations of the measures implemented, including clear information on the use of funds, the success of the reintegration of workers into the labour market and its effectiveness, to ensure accountability, sound financial management and the effective use of Union funds; reiterates the need for appropriate monitoring and control of the use of EGF funding;8. Calls for an independent cost-benefit assessment of the EGF intervention, including administrative costs, long-term reintegration outcomes and any potential overlap with measures financed by the European Social Fund Plus or national instruments; calls on the Commission to assess whether the recurrent mobilisation of the EGF to address large-scale redundancies demonstrates genuine European added value; stresses that such evaluation and controls must under no circumstances delay or reduce the immediate and full mobilisation of the EUR 3.8 million allocated to support the displaced Cora workers;

Or. en

Amendment 30

Giuseppe Lupo

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 8

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
8. Calls for thorough final evaluations of the measures implemented, including clear information on the use of funds, the success of the reintegration of workers into the labour market and its effectiveness, to ensure accountability, sound financial management and the effective use of Union funds; reiterates the need for appropriate monitoring and control of the use of EGF funding;8. Calls for thorough final evaluations of the measures implemented, including clear information on the use of funds, the success of the reintegration of workers into the labour market and whether the EGF objectives were achieved;

Or. en

Amendment 31

Angéline Furet

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 10

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
10. Notes that the Belgian authorities provided assurance that the principles of equality of treatment and non-discrimination will be respected in the access to the proposed actions and their implementation, and that any double financing will be prevented;10. Notes that the Belgian authorities provided assurance that the principles of equality of treatment and non-discrimination will be respected in the access to the proposed actions and their implementation, and that any double financing will be prevented; stresses that the principle of equal treatment and non-discrimination must ensure equal access to the proposed measures on the basis of objective criteria and must not result in positive discrimination, preferential treatment or the imposition of ideological quotas among beneficiaries;

Or. en

Amendment 32

Hélder Sousa Silva, Andrzej Halicki

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 11

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
11. Reiterates that assistance from the EGF must not replace actions that are the responsibility of public authorities or companies under national law or collective agreements;11. Reiterates that assistance from the EGF must not replace actions that are the responsibility of public authorities or companies under national law or collective agreements; recalls that the EGF is a limited, targeted and complementary mechanism and cannot replace structural economic policies that sustain economic growth, that promote a business-friendly environment, and that protect Union enterprises, economic operators and their workers;

Or. en

Amendment 33

Auke Zijlstra

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 12

Motion for a resolutionAmendment
12. Approves the decision annexed to this resolution;12. Takes note of the decision annexed to this resolution;

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