The European Commission has decided to support around 1,580 former workers of Air France who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with around €17.7 billion.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, May 11, the EU Commission announced that this funding depends on the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF), which will also help these people find new jobs through the guidelines set out, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
In this regard, the Commissioner for Labour and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, stressed that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on employees of travel and airlines.
“With €17.7 million of financial support from the European Globalisation Fund, we show solidarity with nearly 1,600 former Air France workers, helping them to find their way back into the labour market. This EU support will help them retrain and find new jobs, or to start their own business,” he also pointed out.
According to the EU Commission, France’s request for EGF support serves to help laid-off workers at Air France, as the COVID-19 pandemic saw a significant drop in passenger and airline flights. The same request was approved on February 4 by the European Parliament.
“The support to the dismissed workers includes advisory services, career guidance, job search assistance and the possibility to learn new skills through tailored vocational training. Participants can also receive advice on how to start their own business and a start-up grant of up to €15,000,” the statement reads.
In addition, these support measures include employment benefits, wage increases and rapid re-employment allowances for workers.
The EU Commission has revealed that the total estimated cost of these measures is around €21 million, of which the EGF will cover 85 per cent or €17.7 million. On the other hand, Air France will fund the remaining 15 per cent.
On February 16, the European Parliament decided to help some 300 Airbus employees in France who had lost their jobs due to COVID-19. Otherwise, this assistance amounted to €3.7 million.
In a statement issued the same day, the European Parliament indicated that a full recovery is not expected at least until 2025 in the aviation sector.
Commenting on this situation, MEPs pointed out that in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, general travel restrictions led to a general collapse of commercial aviation, especially in the passenger flight sector.
A study released in early April by the tourist offices of the French National Federation (ADN Tourism) and the French Tourism Development Agency (Atout France) has revealed the preferences of tourist destinations in France for French and international travellers.
According to ADN Tourism, France remains the favourite European destination, especially for American, Belgian, Italian, and Spanish visitors.
Meanwhile, 70 per cent of the French have planned to leave for their travel plans between April and June 2022.
For the 70 per cent of French people who have already decided to go on a vacation, the departure will include an average of 2.2 nights stay and the same plane to spend an average of ten days away from home during these three months.
In addition, 29 per cent of travellers have planned their stays in accommodation hotels.