On 4 May, the European Commission proposed to provide Spain with €1.6 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) to help 350 redundant footwear industry workers back into employment. The funds, requested by the Spanish authorities, would help former workers from 143 mostly small enterprises in the Valencia region. The total estimated cost of the package is €2.5 million. The Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, László Andor, commented: «Spanish shoe industry workers have been hit hard by rising global competition. This proposal for €1.6 million from Europe’s Globalisation Fund would help them to get new jobs by training them in new skills». By Commission estimates, as a consequence of the decline of exports of footwear made in Europe, the number of footwear producers in the EU27 decreased by 11.58% during the period 2005-2008. The proposal now goes to the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers for approval.