EU job-search aid worth €9.9 million for 1,858 former Air France workers

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  Redundancies in the air transport sector in the Île-de-France and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur regions

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  Air France hard hit by EU’s loss of international market share to airlines in the Persian Gulf

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  EU to co-fund redeployment leave, start-up grants, vocational training and allowances

Former Air France workers will receive EU aid worth €9,894,483 to help them to re-integrate into the labour market, following a plenary vote on Tuesday.

Air France made 1,858 workers redundant due to “serious economic disruption”, including a decline in the EU’s international market share, slower growth in air traffic in Europe compared to the rest of the world and the rise of airlines in the Persian Gulf, which receive state aid and subsidies, MEPs say in the report.

Most of the workers affected were made redundant in 2017 in the Île-de-France (centre, 76.2%) and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (south, 11.7%) regions. 47.6 % of redundant workers are women and most are between 55 and 64 years old. The measures, co-funded by the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) and the French authorities, should help them to re-integrate into the labour market.

This is France’s second successful EGF application for Air France. The first was in 2013.

The EGF aid will cover 60% of the total cost, which amounts to €9.9 million. Five types of measures are planned: vocational guidance and training, entrepreneurship, start-up grants, and allowances.

The report by rapporteur Alain Lamassoure (EPP, FR) recommending that Parliament approve the aid was passed by 549 votes to 88, with 39 abstentions.

Next steps

The Council approved the aid on 26 June. With the European Parliament’s green light, the funds will be available within weeks.

Background

The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund contributes to packages of tailor-made services to help redundant workers find new jobs. Its annual ceiling is €150 million.