On Tuesday, Parliament approved Spain’s request for support from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF). MEPs acknowledged that “the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine have reduced economic competitiveness across the Union, including in Spain”, adding that “the margins of the enterprises in Spain and their competitiveness have furthermore been reduced by the current rise in inflation, in particular the higher prices of raw materials and energy.”

These high prices and downward pressure on world aluminium prices, resulting from production overcapacity in China, contributed to Alu Ibérica’s bankruptcy. MEPs underline the significant impact of the company’s closure on the local labour market and the economy of the city of A Coruña, which has an unemployment rate well in excess of the EU average.

Workers from disadvantaged age group

The displaced workers will need additional support to find new employment…