Dexia leaders have committed crimes

21st October

The fall was accelerated by Dexia irregularities. A document written by the supervisory authority in 2010 reported several violations of the Franco-Belgian bank, reported Liberation.

The body responsible for regulating the banking sector would have directly challenged the previous management but also the leaders still in office. The report was quoted as saying, "number of findings concerning mechanisms for managing derivative positions are likely to contravene the regulations." Regulators cite "in 2007 and until 2008, the disclosure of Dexia Credit Local has remained evasive about the increasing risks, including the CEO and directors were aware. She ignored the violations of regulations and monitoring liquidity risk. "And the report says "the information to the public was not accurate, precise and sincere."

These omissions or falsehoods for the purchase of a portfolio of bonds and speculative securities amounting to 100 billion euros, an "illogical financing local government, the report quoted by Liberation payday advance lenders. Regulators also suggest a failure on the part of the Dexia value of this portfolio of assets, both at the time of purchase as to resale. Worse, the leadership in place deliberately magnified the value of assets. The "overvaluation is estimated at at least 2 billion euros." Auditors such as Deloitte and Mazars have closed their eyes, the report said.

Loans to shareholders to purchase securities

The management team in place is also not spared.In a letter dated September 4, 2009, the report stresses that "the director of the institution has provided an underestimation of the volume of transactions."

Meanwhile, the Financial Timesaffirme that Dexia has paid 1.5 billion euros in its first two institutional shareholders before 2008 so that they carry out acquisitions of securities of the Franco-Belgian bank. But Dexia would, at the time, not breaking the law then in effect. The question is whether the court will examine the case Dexia.

ALSO READ:

"The dismantling of Dexia is an act

Aid to poor countries remains a priority

15th October

Fight against poverty, access to clean water, education, health … Target the poorest countries of sub-Saharan Africa while engaging more in North Africa. These are the priorities declined by the French development, according to the 2011 AFD Ifop barometer, conducted in July, against a background of "Arab spring". They are 63% to support the continuation of official development assistance (ODA), despite the crisis and the context of budget restrictions. 77% of them even consider that France should have its own policy in Europe.

Tax on financial transactions

Given that France is the third largest contributor to global. "ODA accounts for 10 billion euros, or nearly 10% of global ODA, while France weighs 5% of global GDP.And the 2012 budget will not be affected by lower public spending, "said Minister of Cooperation Henri de Raincourt. Welcoming the outcome of the investigation that "incites to put development at the heart of the international agenda," the minister said that the G20 Development to be held next Friday in Paris will be a first in this proceeding with three priorities: food security, infrastructure and innovative financing.

Paris has the support of Brazil and several European partners to push the proposed tax on financial transactions, despite the opposition displayed the Anglo-Saxon countries, the United States in mind. "It will take these countries explain to their publics at the same time they lower their ODA they refuse to find new financing.This is an ethical issue, "criticizes the French minister.

If aid is important to the French, they are only 55% find it effective. They are even more severe in the result on the reduction of poverty, the fight against global warming and support for economic growth. Overall 60% believe the French budget enough, young people, however, require a greater commitment.

Respondents also believe that aid should rely more on local actors: communities, civil society organizations, entrepreneurs and NGOs …. The transfer of skills and know-how is considered very important to avoid over-reliance of the States for assistance. Finally, like other years, they want more information on funded projects, their progress and results.

GDF Suez attack the state of gas prices

14th October

Three weeks after the government's announcement to freeze gas prices for individuals on or after October 1, GDF Suez took, as the company announced at the time, the competent courts in protest against the decision. The group on Thursday filed an action for the Council of State to request the cancellation of an order made by the government.

The investigation of this type of case takes on average between 12 and 18 months. But the length of the procedure does not scare GDF Suez, which the argument is simple: the law requires that the procurement costs of the company are covered by fees, and grant a small margin. Upon arrival, if the formula price was applied on October 1, gas prices for individuals would have had to climb 10%.GDF Suez's estimated shortfall by the end of the year to some 290 million euros cash advance no fax.

For its part, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CRE), the industry policeman, issued an opinion unfavorable to the Government Order. Meanwhile, the regulator gave the Minister of Industry, a report on the Exploring the evolution rate of increase gas prices. One of the measures mentioned by the CRE is to increase – in the development of the formula – the share of the market price of gas now cheaper for the consumer and supply contracts in the long run.

This design technique should allow to reconcile the evolution of gas prices with the political imperative to avoid any increase, especially brutal.

ALSO READ:

"Gas prices will be frozen property on October 1

The Paris Bourse rebounded strongly

5th October

The Paris Bourse has regained some color. At least temporarily. The CAC 40 gained 4.33% to 2973.90 points in a little volume of trade expanded by about 3.3 billion euros. The day before, he had lost 2.61% and nearly 6% in the space of three days.

Moderated somewhat in early trading, the Paris market has accelerated the pace in the afternoon, reassured by the good performance of Wall Street. In session, the Dow Jones advanced 0.30% and the Nasdaq by 0.63%. The day before the New York Stock Exchange had hoisted the green flag in the home straight with any information that has filtered after the meeting of economic ministers of the European Union about a possible recapitalization of banks in Europe.The hypothesis was reinforced Wednesday when German Chancellor Angela Merkel ruled "justified" to recapitalize European banks in need, noting that his country was ready to do "if necessary".

Other European markets rose in unison. London was up 3.19%, Frankfurt was awarded 4.91%, Milan 3.94% and 4.03% Euro Stoxx 50.

Markets were also encouraged by the good employment figures in the United States. The firm ADP, which always reveals its figures a step ahead of the official statistics, said the U.S. private sector had created 91,000 jobs in September, about twice as anticipated by analysts.

But for most experts, this is a rebound "essentially technical" free business cards. In fact the concerns about the future of Greece are still present.Similarly, fears of slowing global growth or even recession are ever more brightly. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has painted a particularly grim situation. "A global recession in 2012 can not be excluded" admitted Antonio Borges, Director IMF Europe.

Dexia regaining ground

The announcement of the degradation of three notches on the note of Italy by the rating agency Moody's has however not really affected the morale of the operators. The news was widely anticipated by the market. September 20, its rival Standard & Poor's had also downgraded Italian.

Investors have indeed benefited from the falling value of certain financial and industrial stocks in recent days to engage in purchases with it. In Paris, Societe Generale has returned 8.65%, 9.89% Credit Agricole and BNP Paribas 8.5%.Even the Franco-Belgian Dexia threatened to dismantle and had fallen by over 22% the day before a section of the movement. The stock has recovered 1.49%. This is despite a particularly harsh note from Goldman Sachs with respect to the French banking sector.

The cyclical industry and the technology were also in great shape with Cap Gemini (14.18%, largest increase in CAC 40) Saint Gobain (+9.3%), Lafarge (8.72%) and Peugeot (8.60%).

The lunch break continue to drink

28th September

The long pause between colleagues at lunch time lived. The increased pace of work was right in this traditional division, whose length has been reduced to a trickle in the last twenty years. While employees willingly stopped for over an hour and a half to sustain themselves in the 1990s, they now spend no more than 22 minutes on average to the ritual, according to a study released Tuesday by Malakoff Médéric.

"The lunch break has become the adjustment variable of the workday, says Anne-Sophie Godon, director of prevention within the group of social protection Malakoff Médéric. The content of the day was densified, while the distance between work and home tends to increase. In this context, employees have no choice but to cut back on the lunch break. "Women are more concerned than men, many of them prefer to take the shortest time at noon in hopes of starting earlier work, says Odile Fox, medical officer in Paris.

Employees bring their lunch more

With less time spent at lunch, it is the nature of the meal that has changed. A perceptible change in the last few years yet, the study said. Since 2009, the number of employees who go home for lunch has been declining (29% of respondents in 2011 against 34% in 2009), as well as those who go to a restaurant business (19% instead of 22%). In contrast, the share of those who swallow a sandwich as a meal is still growing by 2 points in 2011 compared to 2009.

Shortening the length of the lunch break is not always synonymous with "junk food" one of the most striking findings is that the share of employees who bring their pittance to work, after having prepared at home is strong growth. Almost a third say they do frequently, women are over-represented again. "The French are trying to eat more balanced, it is a serious sociological trend installment payday loans. Provide meals is a way to control your diet. It's also a way to save money, "says Anne-Sophie Godon. The crisis is over there.

Decreased concentration

Sandwich and dish prepared in advance, reducing the dwell time has nevertheless perverse effects. "When you eat quickly, no time to feel full. Satiety occurs only after a quarter of an hour.And when we eat at his computer, it's worse: it does not even pay attention to what you swallow. Result, we tend to snack in the afternoon, "said Patrick Serog, doctor. In 2011, 39% of employees admit to regularly snacking, two points more than in 2009. "Making a real pause, three-quarters of an hour, is crucial, says Odile as Fox. Without this cut, the stress builds up. "

The health of the employee is not only involved for the company either, the lunch break is not wasted time. An employee who does not stop and does not cut even if it's only twenty minutes with their working environment is an employee who may lose concentration. "Attention has its phases. It can be really careful for forty five minutes or an hour, but rarely more.If we restore his normal work environment at his office, for example, the concentration decreases even faster, and we made mistakes, "warns Patrick Serog. This did not include an office where you eat according to host Monster 400 times more bacteria than the toilet normally maintained.

"Testimonials – And you, do you take time for breakfast? Prepare your meals in advance or do you buy close to your work? Share your experience in comments below or by email at temoin@lefigaro.fr.

ALSO READ:

"The" standing desk "is emulated

"Nine out of 10 employees engaged in personal activities in the office

The trend is sustainable to travel

4th September

Solidarity and ecological travel. The idea is gaining ground in the minds of many tourists. This practice has a name very trend: the "sustainable tourism". According to the definition given by the World Tourism Organization (WTO), it is a holiday that "meets the needs of present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunities for the future. "

Whether it's a humanitarian mission in Africa, a trek in the Sahara or the ascent of Kilimanjaro, this type of travel always organized around four themes, according to Yann Legendre, coordinator at Libertalia specialist stays abroad lasting. The first two are the exchange and outreach to the local economy. "Sustainable Travel, accommodation is homestay or in hotels, buy food at the local producer, operate a local bus," said he. Next is the protection of the environment.Specific example: instead of buying bottled water which may pollute the tour operator is investing in a filter pump. "We saved the purchase of 9,500 bottles last year," notes Libertalia. There remains one of the most important aspects: the local development projects. This is not a logic of love ", explained Yann Legendre. "We have identified local actors engaged in a dynamic project that we donate 30 to 60 euros per passenger," he adds.

For those who opt for sustainable tourism in the Hexagon, the basics are the same. In the villages of the network Cap France, vacationers are being such offer "kits picnic" without any packaging pollutant. They sort the waste, swim in heated pools with solar panels and eat fresh produce from local agriculture."This is a tourist friendly environment with a local proximity and social," says Jean-Michel Coeff, president of the network.

Contrary to popular belief, sustainable travel is not more expensive. "Investments are included gradually over time," says Jean-Michel Coeff. For trips abroad, the price stays is generally equivalent to those of traditional tour operators and even cheaper because the organizers did not pay any commission to providers or agencies over.

Boom offers

Since the early 2000s, the offers are multiplying on the web. Tour operators are mostly from small associative structures are already active in the sector sustainable. But the traditional tour operators are also well represented on the niche, the image of Voyageurs du Monde free credit report and score.The travel specialist tailor even claims to have adopted this approach for many years. "It's not just a fad, it is a binding approach we impose," said Frederic Lavaud, project sustainability. According to the latter, responsible tourism has become a corporate philosophy: "We have adopted a responsible for all travels. We check for instance that our partners pay their employees well. We have a corporate foundation which helps local people. In Asia, some of our destinations travelers take away the excluded villages now live a little better through these visits, "he adds. According Voyageurs du Monde, the client would become very attentive to these questions: "People are sensitive to the choice of partners and very critical if we are not in line with what we propose.This is progress. "

Libertalia confirms the trend: "Our customer base is doubling every year since 2007. There is a real awareness, a desire to return to the essence of the journey is the encounter and discovery. "

Credibility problem

Despite this enthusiasm, the trip is still a sustainable niche. According to the WTO, the 935 million tourists who took the road last year, it represents only a small portion still unencrypted. For if consciousness is actually at work, the acting out takes longer than expected. "There is still a gap between this important awareness and its translation in terms of holidays. For tourists, holiday means to live freely. People do not want to be imposed on things, "admits Jean-Michel Coeff."And for some it is a concept bobo, an ecological cult," he adds.

This credibility problem, mentioned by several tour operators, requires the industry to organize. In 2004, a group of tour operators create the Association of Tour Operators Themes (ATT). The last issue to each operator audited by the certification body AFNOR label "Acting for Responsible Tourism (ATR)." But this system is far from unanimous. "The criteria are too light and too expensive certification" portion Libertalia who prefers to make his own evaluation grid. For its part, France Cape Town in 2004 launched his own label Owl Nature. In short, it is still difficult at the moment to see clearly.

ALSO READ:

"Tourism: a good season despite the weather

Sodas Tobacco: rigor worried

25th August

MEDEF regrets "the unbalanced distribution of efforts between state, local and Social Security on the one hand, and households and businesses on the other." Moreover, "a number of steps leading to increases in production costs adverse to competitiveness," the main concern French employers' organization. Medef cites the increasing social package, a levy paid by the employer under the employee savings plan (participation, sharing …), which will "penalize the share of added value in the company and lead gradually to confuse the profit-sharing with the wages. "

The union claims toufefois "welcome the clear commitment to compliance with the fiscal path."

The National Association of Food Industries for its part believes that the creation of a tax on soft drinks is "unacceptable.""It is a policy identical to that which was conducted for alcohol and tobacco, and we do not want food to undergo this type of approach," said Jean-René Buisson, president of the Association National Food Industries (ANIA). "We are aware of the need to participate in collective efforts but we do not want this action is taken based on the nutritional aspects of the product."

Manufacturers of cigarettes and tobacco shops demanded government action against smuggling to protect their industry, they are threatened after the announcement Wednesday by the government of a new tax increase. "Before 2003, the parallel market was estimated at 2-3%. Today we talk about 20% in 2012, the term 25%? "Pascal Montredon concerned, the President of the Confederation of tobacconists.Several studies have smoked a cigarette in five in France comes from the parallel market, purchased abroad, online or imported through criminal networks

In the construction sector, Ridoret Didier, president of the French Building Federation denounced "a heavy blow to SMEs in the building" with "The change in the calculation of the relief on low salaries and reintegration, in this calculation, the overtime. " "The SME sector will be particularly affected as they are mostly remained at 39 hours," says he told AFP.

Liébus Patrick, president of the Confederation of Crafts and Small construction companies, is pleased to share the "message about the importance of maintaining the 5.5% VAT for maintenance and restoration [ d] been understood as the government realized that we were a growth industry. "It regrets, however, the additional movement of the plane on the "scellier" and equipment for sustainable development: "This will impact on activity and employment," he added.

ALSO READ:

"Tobacco tax: EUR 1 billion savings by 2011

"Rigor: the right plan welcomes the left denounced the cynicism

Debt golden rule: the call for national unity François Fillon

20th August

After controversy and mediocre at best a few misunderstandings, we must acknowledge the political change in the euro area conducted this summer under the leadership of Nicolas Sarkozy and Chancellor Angela Merkel. Once again, it faces its most serious problems that Europe is taking its greatest progress.

After the 2008 financial crisis, Europe has faced since last year in a sovereign debt crisis that is partly rooted in the first. Some countries have seen their debt rise significantly because of the money committed to bail out large parts of their financial sector they have decided to nationalize. This is not the case of France, who withdrew 2.7 billion euros of its plan to support the banking sector. The impact of financial crisis on the real economy have also weighed on state budgets.The current difficulties are also punished too complacent management of public finances, with the vote for decades of budget deficit and rising debt.

This crisis is not unique to the euro zone, whose levels of debt and deficit, relative to the size of its economy, are lower than those of the United States or Japan. But markets have begun to test its strength and cohesion. Appropriate responses are partly national.

Spain and Italy have in recent weeks strong measures. Without being affected by financial stress comparable to other countries have taken appropriate action.

From 2007, France decided to apply the rule of non-replacement of an official two. A path of public finances has been defined, which provides for the return to a deficit of 3% in 2013 and is intangible.For the first time in 2010, spending on Medicare have remained within the limits set earlier this year. Pension reform has also strengthened our financial statements in the long term.

Nobody has the right to lie to the French on the efforts that we must make.No one can return to these measures to ensure financial and social sovereignty.

Appropriate responses are also European.

A fierce solidarity between Member States of the euro zone must win against the selfish temptations or protectionist.

With the creation of the European financial stability, the effective capacity of intervention was increased to 440 billion euros, then the decision July 21 to expand its missions in a preventive role, the Heads of State and Government of the euro area set up in a few months a true European Monetary Fund. It demonstrated its flexibility and means that interventions are tailored to the leads.

Some advocate the creation of European bonds, the "Eurobonds", they present as a panacea.But they forget to say that this would increase the cost of the French debt and could even jeopardize its credit rating. Above all, they pretend to believe that this solution may be considered now as an immediate response to market disturbances.

How to accept today the pooling of public debt through Eurobonds, while the decision to spend public money is taken in each Member State? How to separate the financial responsibility for the management decision?

It is clear that in practice eurobonds can be achieved without considerable strengthening of fiscal discipline and economic governance within the euro area. This means they pass through an integration which there is currently no political consensus.In this regard, I find it ironic that some criticize the initiatives through which we move, but called for the establishment of eurobonds.

The adoption by the Member States of the euro area of ​​a balanced budget rule with constitutional and binding on the annual budget, as proposed by the President of the Republic and the German Chancellor to their counterparts, will s ensure that everyone present as soon as possible accounts tending toward equilibrium. This will give the length of sanitation in the country finance in the euro zone credibility that will restore confidence and to discourage speculation. It would be wrong not to adopt it for the future in all Member States of the euro area. France must, on this issue, set an example.It is in the national interest.

This collective discipline would be meaningless without a collective ambition for growth. The growth in Europe requires an investment in fixed intelligence and knowledge economy. With the tripling of the tax credit research and investment program for the future is the strategy adopted by France. It also requires a better orientation of the Cohesion Fund and European Structural Funds.

In addition, a new step is necessary in the economic integration of countries in the euro area. France defends years the creation of a European economic government. It is proposed that the President of the Republic and the German Chancellor.

Seventeen countries can make the choice to adopt a single currency without incurring a movement of reconciliation of their economies, their tax systems and their social models.France and Germany have always been the motors of European integration. This week with Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel, both countries have decided to take the next step, including the creation by 2013 of a common corporate tax. On the eve of 50th anniversary of the Elysée Treaty, by which General de Gaulle and Chancellor Adenauer to seal the reconciliation between our two countries, France and Germany show their will to strengthen their convergence and start a new governance European.

Given the magnitude of these challenges, I appeal to the unity and sense of responsibility of all political parties.

Constrained by its primary, the opposition seems to say no in advance, regardless of the question. Yet there is the Socialist Party of economists and officials informed sincere.Unfortunately, while the president and German Chancellor put all their credibility in the balance to defend our currency and that the policy we conduct ensures the maintenance of the rating in France earlier, the Socialist Party seems committed to the proliferation of government jobs and contracts helped, showing that it has not yet taken the measure of effort we need to do to keep our commitments to reduce the deficit and debt.

A message of national unity is still the best answer to the doubts of markets and investor concerns. Indeed, this message most of the major European political forces have chosen to focus.

Nobody asks the French Socialist leaders to renounce their beliefs or even their legitimate ambitions.Recognize the efforts of France and Germany out of the crisis, embark on a "golden rule" of common sense, it would show responsibility and a sense of national interest that would to their credit.

Apple combines the trial with its competitors

18th August

One more! Taiwan's HTC has come to swell the list of phone manufacturers in lawsuits against Apple for patent infringement by filing a complaint on Tuesday night. He joined Motorola and Samsung in this. And all three are pursued by Apple are accused of having copied its phones and tablets. To believe that the trial is a way like another to manage a patent portfolio of brands. The complaints became so numerous that more and more industry observers blame the mobile phone companies to spend more in legal fees only to pay engineers. At the expense of innovation.

A drift that Apple, as a party plaintiff or defendant in a number of ongoing trials, is no stranger. The firm seeks to protect its technologies as well as its distinctive (packaging, product development, wiring).Apple targets are far from accidental. As for Samsung, HTC and Motorola, it indirectly addresses its main competitor in the mobile phone: Google's Android, which equips the devices of the three brands offending and weighs 43% of this market.

The game is risky for Apple, which is far from winning all its trials. After graduating last week a ban on the marketing of the Galaxy Tab Samsung in Europe, Apple has finally seen its competitor be allowed to sell the tablet in Europe, except Germany. Apple is also regularly attacked by some "small" sector, like Creative, to whom he had to pay $ 73 million, accused of using its expertise in digital music player for his iPod payday loans guaranteed no fax. But these repeated attacks are proof of the incredible ability of Apple to seize the zeitgeist and often improve the copy.Which in terms of "victims" is no excuse. Especially as unwilling to compromise, Steve Jobs, the CEO prefers to go to trial, even if it means losing. Another failure in the face of Nokia. Apple was ordered to pay a lump sum and use rights, which amounts have not been made public, some patents.

A dangerous game

A similar logic to that which led Microsoft to claim $ 15 a smartphone sold to Samsung. The U.S. already collects $ 5 from HTC. For its part, Oracle accuses Google of violating some of its patents to develop its operating system for smartphones Android, and is seeking $ 6 billion.

"Apple has it gone to the dark side of the Force?" The question made the rounds of blogs devoted to the subject, concerned about the prosecution of the brand.We are far from "nice" Apple label won in the late 1980s and early 1990s, as opposed to "bad" giant Microsoft, which dominated the world. Apple, so concerned with his image of "challenger" and an alternative to the dominant model, probably not only take the risk to see it tarnished nor disappoint his fans.

A German company refuses to pay its French employees

13th August

The plight of employees Sodimedical continues. For three months, the German group Lohmann & Rauscher, who owns the manufacturing company of medical equipment, refuses to pay the salaries of its fifty employees, says the "Parisien in France Today" on Friday.

A retaliatory measure following the invalidation by the court in February of the social plan concocted by management, who wanted to relocate its production to China. Considering the economic reasons cited by Sodimedical as unjustified (because the company depends on its parent, very profitable), the high court of Troyes was the beginning of the year pushed the rules of redundancy.

Director sequestered

But since then, the situation of employees of Plancy-l'Abbaye, in the Aube near Troyes, stronghold Baroin, has not arranged.As of May, Sodimedical no longer paid the salaries of its employees guaranteed payday loans. "The employees are without work and without income illegally," said Mr. Brown, their lawyer.

Despite several convictions by the courts, forcing the company to pay wages on pain of penalty, financial difficulties accumulate. "The state is unable to enforce court decisions. We met with the Minister of Economy Baroin, who returned the ball to the prefect, "said an employee on a daily basis. Without success.

Twice in June, employees have unsuccessfully tried to succeed by sequestering their manager, later released by police.The Commercial Court of Troyes should again today to decide the fate of employees Sodimedical.

ALSO READ:

"The impact of relocation on employment remains marginal

"SPECIAL – Social conflicts, companies in crisis