Commission proposes to support dismissed workers in the car industry in Belgium

The European Commission has proposed to mobilise €7.5 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) to help 3,414 workers dismissed after the closure of carmaker Audi’s plant in Brussels.

In February 2025, Audi stopped producing the Q8 e-tron car model in Brussels and closed its  plant.  As a consequence, several suppliers of Audi also dismissed workers.

The EGF-funded measures will help 2,580 former Audi workers and 834 workers from Audi’s suppliers learn new skills and rejoin the labour market. The funding will finance measures such as career counselling and guidance, or training in new professional and horizontal skills, and support dismissed workers to launch their own businesses.

The total estimated cost of these measures is €8.8 million, with 85% (€7.5 million) covered by the European Commission and 15% (€1.3 million) by the Belgian Regional Public Employment Services.

The Belgian authorities began providing support from the EGF to workers in February 2025, shortly before the first layoffs and after support services for workers, provided by Audi, ended. The EGF can retroactively cover these costs.

Next Steps

The Commission proposal now requires approval by the European Parliament and the Council. It needs a simple majority in the European Parliament and a qualified majority in the Council.

Background

Since 2007, the EGF has helped more than 181,000 people in 20 Member States, intervening in 186 cases with €727 million disbursed. These funds from the European Commission complement national active labour market measures.

According to the latest biennial EGF activity report, more than eight in ten (81%) dismissed workers have found a new job within 18 months of receiving EGF support.

The EGF contributes directly to the creation of a more dynamic and competitive European economy by improving the skills and employability of dismissed people and facilitating the general upskilling in European companies, leading towards better quality jobs.

Helping European workers learn and improve their skills for the demands of a quickly evolving job market is a priority for the European Commission. In November 2025, the Commission launched a Skills Guarantee pilot to support workers in transition so they can learn new skills. The flagship initiative under the Union of Skills will reinforce strategic sectors in line with the future European Competitiveness Fund.

More information: European Commission