The €1 billion plus European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) appears to be back on track with the outcome of last night’s trialogue in Brussels indicating full agreement in the weeks ahead.

This was stated by the European Parliaments Chief Negotiator Marian Harkin MEP who met with representatives of the European Commission and the European Council to seek agreement for a programme whose closure was threatened by the negative attitude of a number of members states.

Harkin who chaired the final trialogue emphasised the importance of the EGF with Ireland having had five successful applications and received over €100 million for redundant workers in Dell, Waterford Glass, SR Technics, Talk Talk and the construction sector.

“By exploring the possibility of developing the EGF beyond its commitment to funding workers from single companies I was able to initiate, with the support of officials from the Border, Midland and West Regional Assembly, the broadening of the fund to obtain assistance for the construction sector.  This reinforced the importance of the fund for Ireland which was threatened by the opposition of some powerful EU countries”, she said.

The new fund would be especially welcome for its focus on young unemployed persons, Marian Harkin said, and as the representative of the European Parliament which drew up the EGF report she was very hopeful that there would shortly be a fund to assist workers made redundant due to globalisation or the current economic crisis.