Independent MEP Marian Harkin today (23 May) slammed EU leaders for failing to maintain the Globalisation Fund for redundant workers, stating that this was "a nail in the coffin of EU social values at the very time when they are most needed".

The last remaining EU Member States opposing the continuation of the EU Globalisation Fund (EGF) have maintained their "blocking minority," meaning that the continuation of the Fund beyond 2014 now seems a distant possibility.

Speaking from the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Harkin said that "EU leaders agreed in their council conclusions in February to maintain the EGF during the 2014-2020 period, yet the same stubborn rump of leaders still refuses to budge".
Where has Social Europe gone?

"I spoke earlier this week about the failure of EU leaders to fully recognise the vital social dimension of European integration, particularly in this time of economic crisis and merciless austerity. There have been plenty of noble words, but a pitiful lack of meaningful deeds," she added.

"Refusing to back the EGF is a prime illustration of this failure of action," the Independent MEP concluded.
---------------------
Background Note: The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) was set up by the EU in late 2006 to help workers find new jobs and develop new skills when they have lost their jobs as a result of:
 
• changing global trade patterns, e.g. when a large company shuts down or a factory is moved to outside the EU or
• the global financial and economic crisis
 
Marian Harkin MEP is the European Parliament Draftsperson for the report on the EGF fund post-2014.