The European Commission has proposed to mobilise €2 million from the European Globalization Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) to support 507 workers dismissed after the bankruptcy of Liberty Steel Belgium.
Liberty Steel production lines in Belgium came to a halt in December 2021 due to raw material shortages. This led to a restructuring process and the legal transfer of Liberty Steel to Liberty Galați (Romania) in 2023. Despite these efforts, production never resumed, and workers were placed in short-term work schemes. After prolonged inactivity, the Liège Commercial Court declared Liberty Steel bankrupt on 22 April 2025, resulting in 507 workers losing their jobs.
The EGF funding will support affected workers through measures such as:
- career counselling and guidance
- training in new professional and horizontal skills
- assistance for those wishing to start their own businesses
Together, these measures will help dismissed workers learn new skills and rejoin the labour market. Their total estimated cost amounts to €2.4 million, of which 85% (€2 million) will be covered by the Commission and 15% (€0.4 million) by the Walloon public employment services.
The Belgian authorities began providing support to workers already in June 2025, shortly after the bankruptcy. The EGF can retroactively cover these costs.
Next Steps
The Commission proposal now requires approval by the European Parliament and the Council. It needs a simple majority in the European Parliament and a qualified majority in the Council.
Background
Since 2007, the EGF has granted financial support to 181,167 people in 20 Member States, intervening in 186 cases with €727 million disbursed. These funds complement national active labour market measures.
In November 2025, the Commission launched a Skills Guarantee pilot to support workers in transition so they can learn new skills. The flagship initiative under the Union of Skills will reinforce strategic and growing sectors, in line with the future European Competitiveness Fund.
