in 2024
In Vilafranca, the City Council and the Regional Mancomunitat dels Ports have filed an application with the Generalitat de Valencia to access the European Globalization Adjustment Fund (EGF) for workers displaced by the Marie Claire textile plant. The collaboration between local authorities and regional partners aims to secure EU support that will fund training and employment initiatives for former Marie Claire employees and help revive the local economy. A survey of nearly 100 affected workers, conducted last November, was shared with the Consell by the EU aid technicians from both institutions to inform the plan and strengthen the case for funding.
The EGF is a European instrument designed to assist towns and regions hit by major employment shocks. The funds will support a package of retraining, job-placement services, and other measures to accelerate recovery and diversify local economic activity beyond the textile sector.
The program’s path to realization in 2024 depends on a sequence of steps. After fieldwork and ongoing meetings with affected workers and regional business leaders, the Generalitat will compile and review the submitted reports. The next stage involves submitting the documentation to the Ministry of Labor and Social Economy, which will forward it to the European Commission for approval. The aim is to mobilize resources quickly to begin implementing the measures as soon as possible.
The financing opportunity is expected to bring broad benefits to Vilafranca and the surrounding area, allowing a wide range of actions that support workers, businesses, and community resilience. The project envisions sustained activity that could preserve jobs and create new avenues for growth across the region.
Recent developments at Marie Claire have centered on the need for a strategic restart. Bankruptcies and the pursuit of investors able to reinvest in the brand’s iconic socks and underwear line have shaped the company’s near-term future. In Vilafranca, a recent meeting included the bankruptcy administrator and attendees who discussed the path forward under a qualified majority decision. The parties agreed to continue negotiations through late March with the objective of maintaining operating capacity and exploring viable options that ensure ongoing work and a viable recovery plan. The emphasis remains on timely solutions and collaborative effort to stabilize employment and support regional economic recovery.