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Finland to apply for EU support over Microsoft layoffs

Xinhua, June 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Finnish government announced on Tuesday that Finland would apply for funding from the European Union (EU) to support the country's soon-to-be former Microsoft employees.

The application, being prepared by the ministry of employment and the economy, will be sent to the European Globalization Adjustment Fund in the early autumn of 2016, according to a government press release.

"The services for those being made redundant will nevertheless be started up immediately," justice and employment minister Jari Lindstrom said. Microsoft's own support measures and the public measures would be coordinated in terms of the services provided, added Lindstrom.

Last Wednesday, Microsoft announced it would lay off 1,350 people in Finland as a result of its plan to streamline its smartphone hardware business.

The government said the EU would spend about six months processing the application.

On his visit to Finland last Thursday, Valdis Dombrovskis, vice president of the European Commission, suggested Finland could possibly apply for EU support over the Microsoft's layoffs. Endit