The European Commission has proposed to provide Finland with €2.6 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) to help 1,200 computer programming workers to find new jobs.

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Finland applied for support from the EGF following the dismissal of 1,603 workers in 69 enterprises operating in the computer programming sector. These job losses were the result of employment in the ICT sector moving outside the EU.

The measures co-financed by the EGF would help the 1,200 workers facing the greatest difficulties in finding new jobs by providing them with:

• career coaching and individual guidance
• employment and business services
• job-seeking training and a variety of vocational trainings
• promotion of entrepreneurship, services for new entrepreneurs and start-up grants
• hiring incentives
• and a variety of training-related allowances.

The total estimated cost of the package is €4.3 million, of which the EGF would provide €2.6 million. The proposal now goes to the European Parliament and the EU's Council of Ministers for approval.