The European Commission has proposed to mobilise €2 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) to support 803 workers dismissed after the bankruptcy of Belgian high-tech car glass manufacturer Soliver.
Since 2007, the EGF has intervened in 191 cases across Europe with €735 million disbursed to offer support to 184,818 people in 20 Member States. These funds complement national active labour market measures.
Today's decision will support workers through measures such as career counselling and guidance, job search assistance, training in new professional and horizontal skills, and recruitment events. These measures will help the dismissed workers acquire new skills and rejoin the labour market. The total estimated cost is €2.5 million, of which 85% (€2.1 million) will be covered by the Commission and 15% (€0.4 million) by the Flemish public employment services.
Belgian authorities began supporting the workers in June 2025, shortly before the bankruptcy declaration. The EGF can retroactively cover these costs. Soliver's bankruptcy was declared on 1 July 2025.
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
According to the latest biennial EGF activity report , more than eight in ten (81%) dismissed workers supported by EGF funds have found a new job within 18 months of receiving Commission 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 Commission. On 25 February 2026, EU Member States and the European Parliament reached a political agreement to broaden the EGF so that it can support workers before they are even dismissed. Those at imminent risk of losing their jobs will be able to receive training to maximise their chances to either remain employed in new business lines of the same companies or to access jobs in other companies.
In November 2025, the Commission also launched a Skills Guarantee pilo t to support workers in transition in the car industry so they can learn new skills. The flagship initiative under the Union of Skills will reinforce strategic and growing sectors. The first grants under the pilot are expected to be signed in June.
