EU offers €3m support for dismissed Goodyear workers in Germany

Brussels - Workers dismissed following the closure of Goodyear's production site in Fulda and partial shutdown in Hanau, Germany are to receive EU job-seeker support.

The European Commission will release over €3 million to help 915 workers find another employment,” the Brussels-based authority announced 29 July.

Germany applied in March for support under the ‘European globalisation adjustment fund for displaced workers’ (EGF), according to the Commission.

The EGF, it stated, will finance measures such as career guidance, reskilling and upskilling, business start-up support, job search assistance and participation.

Goodyear restructured its operations in Germany in 2024, citing the “significant decline in demand, rising costs, and growing competition from low-cost Asian imports.”

The closure at Fulda and cuts in Hanau led to 1,171 job losses, with local unemployment rising by over 10% and 6% respectively around the two locations, the EC noted.

“Measures funded by the EGF will help support workers that often experience skills mismatches in the job market demand following layoffs,” said the Commission.

The total estimated cost of these measures is €5.1 million, with 60% (€3 million) covered by the EGF and the remaining 40% (€2.1 million) financed by Germany's federal budget.

The EGF proposal still requires approval by the European Parliament and the Council, the EC statement pointed out.