EU Parliament approves financial support for former Tupperware Belgium employees
On Wednesday, the European Parliament approved 1.6 million euros in European aid to help the former employees of the Tupperware factory in Aalst, East Flanders, find new employment. Last year, 267 employees were let go after Tupperware Belgium filed for bankrupcy.
After Tupperware Belgium went out of business, an initiative was launched to help the redundant workers from its factory in Aalst find new jobs. In June, the Flemish employment agency VDAB organised a job fair in collaboration with the city. The entire programme costs 1.9 million euros.
The European Commission had proposed to retroactively cover 85 per cent of the amount. This money comes from the so-called globalisation fund, through which the EU supports workers who have lost their jobs as a result of large-scale restructuring. Since its creation in 2007, 727 million euros have been paid out to more than 180,000 people.
On Wednesday, the European Parliament approved the Commission's proposal by a large majority. In total, 562 MEPs voted in favour, 53 voted against and 19 abstained. "These people have been completely abandoned by the American parent company. We will not leave them out in the cold," said MEP Kathleen Van Brempt.
Not for outstanding wages
The European support is not intended to pay outstanding wages, although employees can still claim unpaid salaries. These claims will be submitted to the receivers of the bankrupt Tupperware Belgium. Belga learned on Wednesday that the claims now amount to more than 20 million euros, a figure expected to rise further as around twenty cases still have to be calculated.
How much employees will ultimately recover depends on the proceeds from the liquidation of the company's assets. By the end of last year, the sale had already generated around 1 million euros. Machinery, business and logistics equipment are still up for sale, and the factory building in Aalst is also expected to be sold this year.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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