€7.5 million in aid for dismissed Audi workers

The European parliament has voted by a large majority (593 votes in favour, 55 against, nine abstentions) to grant €7.5 million in aid to the 3,414 workers who lost their jobs due to the closure of Audi Brussels.

The aid is aimed at helping these workers find new employment, for example through career guidance programmes, vocational training or support in starting their own business.

The total cost of the support programme is estimated at €8.8 million. The European Union will finance 85% of this, or €7.5 million, while the remaining 15%, representing €1.3 million, will be covered by the regional public employment services in Belgium.

The money can be used retroactively to cover costs already incurred.

With the discontinuation of production of Audi's Q8 e-tron electric car in February last year, Audi shut down its activities in Brussels. Not only did the factory workers lose their jobs, but hundreds of jobs were also lost at suppliers.

During deliberations, MEPs condemned Audi’s decision to end its operations in Belgium, even though the company remains profitable, noting that production would be relocated to China and Mexico.

Last month, the European Commission proposed to release €7.5 million from the so-called globalisation fund to help the 2,580 former Audi employees and 834 redundant employees at suppliers.

An employment unit was set up immediately after the factory closed and more 1,000 employees have since found new work.

MEPs Sara Matthieu (Groen) and Kathleen Van Brempt (Vooruit) welcomed the support, but called for investment in retraining and support for employees in digital, green and demographic transitions, even when they are still working.

“European money must be linked to guarantees that companies will not simply lay off their employees,” Matthieu added.

Hilde Vautmans (Anders) expressed hope that European leaders will get industrial policy back on track, “but we must involve everyone: including the employees who are helping to build that growth, so that no talent is lost”.