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report parliamentary committee draft, 7 September 2026

On the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers following an application from Belgium – EGF/2026/001 BE/Cora

Document BUDG-PR-792010 · (COM(2026)0155 – C100200/2026 – 2026/0197(BUD))

Committee on Budgets · Rapporteur: Hélder Sousa Silva

On Parliament’s site PDF Word

AI:In short

This is a draft report by the Committee on Budgets on a proposal to mobilise the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers for Belgium, following application EGF/2026/001 BE/Cora. It agrees that the conditions of the EGF Regulation are met and that Belgium is entitled to EUR 3 821 460, which is 85 % of the total cost of EUR 4 495 836. The application concerns 1 257 displacements at Cora SA and one supplier, with 1 010 displaced workers in Wallonia as targeted beneficiaries. The personalised services include outplacement and vocational guidance, skills certification, training, support for business creation, a contribution to business start-up and incentives and allowances. The report approves the decision annexed to the resolution.

Position. The rapporteur agrees with the Commission that the conditions of the EGF Regulation are met and that Belgium is entitled to EUR 3 821 460, and approves the decision annexed to the resolution.

Key points

  1. Belgium submitted application EGF/2026/001 BE/Cora following 1 257 displacements in retail trade and land transport in Bruxelles Capitale, Hainaut, Liége and Luxembourg.
  2. The application is based on Article 4(2), point (a), of the EGF Regulation, and a clear causal link is established for 595 displacements outside the reference period.
  3. Cora has faced progressive down-sizing and collective redundancies since September 2025 amid changes in retail, e-commerce growth and competition from non-EU online retailers.
  4. Le Forem and Région Wallonne provide the national pre-financing and co-funding of the measures.
  5. The EGF shall not exceed a maximum annual amount of EUR 30 million (in 2018 prices).
  6. Parliament agrees that Belgium is entitled to a financial contribution of EUR 3 821 460, which is 85 % of the total cost of EUR 4 495 836.
  7. The contribution comprises EUR 4 441 774 for personalised services and EUR 54 062 for preparatory, management, information and publicity, control and reporting activities.
  8. The application relates to 1 257 displaced workers, with 1 010 displaced workers residing in Wallonia as targeted beneficiaries.
  9. Eight in ten displaced workers have an educational attainment of upper secondary level or lower, and one in three is aged over 54.
  10. Personalised services include outplacement, skills certification, training, support for business creation, a contribution to business start-up of up to EUR 15 000, and incentives and allowances.
  11. Belgium shall ensure the visibility of Union funding, and thorough final evaluations and appropriate monitoring and control of EGF funding are called for.
  12. Belgium started providing personalised services on 1 September 2025 and incurring administrative expenditure on 9 April 2025; the eligibility period runs until 24 months and 31 months after the entry into force of the financing decision.

Who is affected

  • Belgium: receives a financial contribution of EUR 3 821 460 from the EGF.
  • 1 010 displaced workers in Wallonia: targeted beneficiaries of personalised services.
  • Cora SA and one supplier: source of the 1 257 displacements.
  • Le Forem and Région Wallonne: provide national pre-financing and co-funding.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 3 821 460: financial contribution from the EGF.
  • 85 %: share of the total cost covered by the EGF contribution.
  • EUR 4 495 836: total cost of the proposed actions.
  • EUR 4 441 774: expenditure for personalised services.
  • EUR 54 062: expenditure for preparatory, management, information and publicity, control and reporting activities.
  • EUR 30 million (in 2018 prices): maximum annual amount of the EGF.
  • EUR 15 000: maximum contribution to business start-up.
  • EUR 2 per hour: job-search allowance for effective participation in job-search activities.

Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 25 Sept 2026 · Report a problem

Full text

Motion for a european parliament resolution 30 paragraphs

(COM(2026)0155 – C100200/2026 – 2026/0197(BUD))

The European Parliament,

–having regard to the Commission proposal to the European Parliament and the Council (COM(2026)0155 – C100200/2026),

–having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/691 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 on the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1309/2013 ("EGF Regulation"), as amended by Regulation (EU) 2026/1139,

–having regard to Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 of 17 December 2020 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021-2027, as amended by Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/765, and in particular Article 8 thereof,

–having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources, and in particular point 9 thereof,

–having regard to the European Pillar of Social Rights,

–having regard to the letter from the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs,

–having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets (A10-0000/2026),

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;

B.whereas Belgium submitted application EGF/2026/001 BE/Cora for a financial contribution from the EGF following 1 257 displacements in the economic sectors classified under the NACE Revision 2 divisions 47 (Retail trade) and 49 (Land transport) in the Region of Bruxelles Capitale (BE10) and Provinces of Hainaut (BE32), Liége (BE33) and Luxembourg (BE34), with 662 total displacements within a reference period from 1 September 2025 to 1 January 2026, consisting of 621 displaced workers from Cora SA (Cora) and 41 from the supplier STEF Logistics Courcelles, and 595 displacements outside the reference period;

C.whereas the application is based on the intervention criteria of Article 4(2), point (a), of the EGF Regulation; whereas for the 595 displacements whose activity ceased before or after the four-month reference period, a clear causal link can be established with the event that triggered the cessation of activity for the displaced workers during the reference period, in accordance with Article 6 of the EGF Regulation;

Read the rest (18 paragraphs)

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;

E.whereas Le Forem and Région Wallonne are providing the national pre-financing and co-funding of the measures;

F.whereas the requirements laid down in Union and national legislation concerning collective redundancies have been complied with;

G.whereas the EGF shall not exceed a maximum annual amount of EUR 30 million (in 2018 prices);

1.Agrees with the Commission that the conditions set out in the EGF Regulation and in particular in Article 4(2), point (a), thereof are met and that Belgium is entitled to a financial contribution of EUR 3 821 460 under that Regulation, which represents 85 % of the total cost of EUR 4 495 836, comprising expenditure for personalised services of EUR 4 441 774 and expenditure for preparatory, management, information and publicity, control and reporting activities of EUR 54 062;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

9.Notes that Belgium started providing personalised services to the targeted beneficiaries and incurring administrative expenditure to implement the EGF on 1 September 2025 and 9 April 2025, respectively, and that the period of eligibility for a financial contribution from the EGF will therefore be from that date until 24 months and until 31 months after the date of the entry into force of the financing decision, respectively;

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;

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;

12.Approves the decision annexed to this resolution;

13.Instructs its President to sign the decision with the President of the Council and arrange for its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union;

14.Instructs its President to forward this resolution, including its annex, to the Council and the Commission.

Annex: decision of the european parliament and of the council 20 paragraphs

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

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/691 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 on the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1309/2013, and in particular Article 15(1), first subparagraph, thereof,

Having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources, and in particular point 9 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1)The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) aims to demonstrate solidarity and promote decent and sustainable employment in the Union by providing support for workers made redundant and self-employed persons whose activity has ceased in the case of major restructuring events and assisting them in returning to decent and sustainable employment as soon as possible.

(2)The EGF is not to exceed a maximum annual amount of EUR 30 million (in 2018 prices), as laid down in Article 8 of Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093, and Article 16 of Regulation (EU) 2021/691.

(3)On 25 March 2026, Belgium submitted an application to mobilise the EGF in accordance with Article 8(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/691, in respect of workers’ displacements in Cora SA and one supplier in Belgium. It was supplemented by additional information provided in accordance with Article 8(5) of Regulation (EU) 2021/691. That application is considered to comply with the conditions for providing a financial contribution from the EGF as laid down in Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2021/691, on the basis of the assessment made by the Commission in the Proposal for a mobilisation decision of the European Parliament and of the Council.

(4)The EGF should, therefore, be mobilised in order to provide a financial contribution of EUR 3 821 460 in respect of the application submitted by Belgium.

(5)In order to minimise the time taken to mobilise the EGF, this Decision should apply from the date of its adoption,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

For the general budget of the Union for the financial year 2026, the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers shall be mobilised to provide the amount of EUR 3 821 460 in commitment and payment appropriations.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. It shall apply from [the date of its adoption]* .

Done at Brussels,

For the European Parliament For the Council

The President The President

Explanatory statement 21 paragraphs

I. Background

The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) was created to provide additional assistance to workers suffering from the consequences of major structural changes in world trade patterns.

In accordance with point 9 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020, the Commission is required, following the positive assessment of an application, to submit a proposal to mobilise the Fund to the budgetary authority and to complement it with a corresponding request for transfer to the relevant budget lines.

II. Belgium’s application and the Commission's proposal

On 25 March 2026 Belgium submitted an application EGF/2026/001 BE/Cora for a financial contribution from the EGF, following 1 257 redundancies at Cora SA and one of its suppliers. This is the first such application of 2026, and the seventh to be examined under the 2026 budget.

Following the assessment of this application, the Commission has concluded, in accordance with all applicable provisions of the EGF Regulation, that the conditions for awarding a financial contribution from the EGF are met.

On 16 July 2026, the Commission adopted a proposal for a decision on the mobilisation of the EGF in favour of Belgium for tailored measures to support the reintegration in the labour market of 1 010 targeted beneficiaries, i.e. workers from Cora (hypermarket retailer) and one of its suppliers (transport company) made redundant. In total, EUR 3 821 460 will be mobilised from the EGF, representing 85 % of the total costs of the proposed actions.

The Commission deemed the Belgian application admissible under the intervention criteria of Article 4(2) (a) of the EGF Regulation, which requires the cessation of activity of at least 200 displaced workers or self-employed persons over a reference period of four months, in an enterprise in a Member State, including workers displaced in suppliers and downstream.

EGF co-funding has been requested for the following six types of actions, to be provided to redundant workers:

a) Outplacement and vocational guidance: These services are delivered by a team comprising vocational advisors specialising in restructuring events and social support workers, typically drawn from the company’s employee representatives. The advisors offer outplacement services, career guidance, and professional reintegration support through individual and group counselling and coaching sessions. Meanwhile, the social support workers assist with administrative procedures related to changes in employment status and help preserve a collective framework of solidarity among employees.

b) Skills certification: Former Cora employees can have their professional skills certified through the Skills Validation Consortium. The Consortium organises tailored validation assessments based on the workers’ profiles and needs. Skills certification helps secure and accelerate reintegration into employment, while also enabling more effective training pathways.

c) Training: Specific training will be offered to cater for the identified needs of the workers, after the profiling and agreement of individual projects with the vocational counsellors. Such training complements Le Forem’s standard training programmes and those of its partners. Two IT modules, designed to develop and strengthen digital autonomy, are offered to workers as cross-cutting training.

d) Support for business creation: This measure targets workers seeking to start their own enterprise and includes a diagnostic and guidance phase, entrepreneurship awareness-raising activities, information sessions on business creation opportunities (based on territorial economic analyses), and networking with established entrepreneurs and certified business-creation coaches.

e) Contribution to business start-up: The workers who start a business or a self-employed activity will receive a contribution up to EUR 15 000. The contribution will be paid in two instalments, subject to verification of the launch and progression of the business activity through supporting documents.

f) Incentives and allowances:

(1) Job-search allowances. Workers will receive EUR 2 per hour of effective participation in job-search activities entitled to the allowance.

(2) Return-to-school allowance. A monthly allowance of EUR 350 will be granted to workers who embark on full-time secondary or tertiary studies, or qualifying training to acquire the necessary skills for jobs that are in demand and for which recruiting is difficult or linked to critical functions.

(3) Allowance towards business creation. To support workers during setting up business, a monthly allowance of EUR 350 will be granted for a maximum of 12 months or up to 18 months under certain conditions.

III. Procedure

In order to mobilise the Fund, the Commission has submitted to the Budgetary Authority a request to transfer a global amount of EUR 3 821 460 from the EGF reserve (budget line 30 04 02; commitment appropriations) to the EGF (budget line 16 02 02; commitment appropriations).

According to an internal agreement within the Parliament, the Employment and Social Affairs Committee and the Committee on Regional Development should be associated to the process, in order to provide constructive support and contribute to the assessment of the applications from the Fund.