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The European Commission has today proposed to provide €3.9 million of assistance from the European Globalisation adjustment Fund (EGF) to Italy. The funding, matched by €2.1 million of national contribution, will help 528 redundant construction workers from a number of mostly small enterprises in two Italian provinces of Trentino and Bolzano back into employment.

The proposal now goes to the European Parliament and the EU's Council of Ministers for their approval.

"The construction sector in Italy has been hit especially hard by the effects of the financial and economic crisis and job-seekers are facing difficulties in finding new opportunities," said László Andor, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion. He added: "I am hopeful that the support and training the EGF can provide to the redundant workers will make their transition to new jobs faster and easier.”

The Italian application relates to 643 redundancies in 323 small and medium sized enterprises operating in the construction of buildings sector in the region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. The dismissals were a consequence of the financial and economic crisis, which resulted in a substantial fall in demand for new houses and house renovation in this region where the construction sector is an important employer.

Of the total 643 workers made redundant, the 528 workers with the greatest difficulties of re-integration into the labour market are targeted for assistance from the EGF. The package of EGF assistance will offer the workers one-to-one counselling and guidance; skills assessment and outplacement; coaching; general training and re-training; individual vocational training; mentoring after reintegration into work and participation and subsistence allowances.