Posts Tagged ‘people’

Greece agreed to an interim government

May 14, 2012 - 5:44 am Comments Off

 

An agreement was reached between three parties, conservatives, socialists and a small leftist party, for a two-year interim government charged with implementing the austerity program "criminal" in Greece, said Sunday the leader of the left radical.

"Three parties have agreed on a plan to a government two years to implement the agreement on the loan (rescue of Greece). They have 168 MPs in the new Parliament, they have the majority, "said Alexis Tsipras, leader of Syriza, after 90 minutes of crisis talks with the Socialists and conservatives around President Karolos Papoulias.

The leaders of these parties had not raised any agreement after the meeting, the Socialist Evangelos Venizelos ensuring no more than a "limited optimism" after talks concluded in "deadlock", his Conservative counterpart Antonis Samaras explaining its Syriza side that refused to compromise. "I made every effort to achieve global cooperation," he told reporters.

If the agreement was officially no new legislative election would be held and the assumption that the country out of the euro area would move away temporarily.

Volatility in commodities

May 10, 2012 - 11:40 am Comments Off

Presidential in major cities Paris | Leeds | Lyons | Toulouse | Leeds | Sheffield | Liverpool | Bordeaux | Lille

The "march of steel" ends at the Eiffel Tower

April 7, 2012 - 6:16 am Comments Off

 

Blast furnaces Florange the Eiffel Tower, it took them a week and a half walk. The steelworkers ArcelorMittal steel plant in Florange (Moselle), left foot on March 28 of Lorraine, arrived Friday afternoon under the Eiffel Tower. The end point of "the march of steel" to "defend their jobs with people."

The 17 walkers, unionized or not, have traveled over 300 km and symbolically ended their march at the foot of the "Iron Lady", made of steel of Lorraine. "Guys, this is who?", They started showing the Eiffel Tower. "To us," responded in a heartfelt cry from the hundreds of employees to join the marchers.

After traveling their last stage, between the Place de la Republique and the Champ de Mars, the steelworkers came to forming a row, holding each arm, all dressed in orange windbreaker. Other employees have come from the Lorraine ovation. On a placard that read "the shadow of death of the steel industry, more than 3,000 jobs lost in Lorraine, Luxembourg and Belgium."

A concert was scheduled for early evening including Bernard Allison. According to police headquarters, from 4 to 500 people gathered at the foot of the podium. "The sides arrived," "Steel Lorraine will live", had earlier chanted the marchers Republic Square.

"Human Adventure"

One of them, Rudy Crestani, retired Florange 61 years, said "human adventure" experienced by the Steelworkers. "The idea was to fight to save our endangered plant and thousands of jobs. We had an extraordinary sympathy of wind and we realized that our struggle far beyond the borders of Florange, this jewel of the industry, "told AFP Edward Martin, CFDT delegate.

"Many French people are recognized and have had to say:" We're all ArcelorMittal power ", because although the company (…) is competitive, it is not even enough to keep it running, since all these ayatollahs finance believe that it is always cheaper, "he said. The marchers slept in gyms, party rooms, received encouragement from anonymous.

Nicolas Sarkozy attacks

The previous visit of steelworkers in the capital in mid-March, had led to clashes with the police when they wanted to go to the campaign headquarters of Nicolas Sarkozy. Since the president candidate has blamed union leaders Florange, attacking the "permanent CFDT" who "betray the trust of employees." "The unionized workers are not full?, Edward Martin replied Friday.

For Alain Gatti (CFDT), "the movement was hyper-responsible" contrary to what was suggested Nicolas Sarkozy accusing the CGT and CFDT union officials to be "come (s) to insult and try to break (his ) campaign headquarters. "

By engaging their showdown in late February to keep maintaining the site and some 2,500 IDUs, including several hundred are now partially, the unions had promised to make Florange "the nightmare of the government" if the two high- furnaces in the steel plant, dormant for several months, were not given a prompt start.

This standby, "the death warrant of the site," they say, is only temporary and ensures ArcelorMittal due to global demand for steel at half mast. After "broken promises" of Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008 in neighboring Gandhinagar-industrial site finally closed in 2009 – Florange has become a political battleground, also involving trade union representatives.

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Labor reform: Monti wants to push through

March 23, 2012 - 9:48 am Comments Off

 

Lack of agreement with the most powerful Italian unions, the CGIL, Mario Monti will try to push through his reform of the Labour Code, which will facilitate dismissals in Italy.

After presenting the text to moderate unions and employers on Thursday night, the Italian prime minister intends to adopt this proposed reform of the Labour Code to the Council of Ministers, this Friday to vote to do so as quickly by Parliament .

"We will make the text so that it prevents any abuse in dismissals," Mario Monti promised Thursday night. Time is running for President of the Council who plays his all on this eagerly awaited by reforming the markets and the European Central Bank.

The confederation CGIL, which refused to sign the text and left the negotiating table, called a general strike. The Democratic Party stands for the first time Mario Monti and promises to fight. The ruling coalition, without which Mario Monti would be powerless, threatens to explode.

On the form, Monti reform aims to modernize an Italian Labour Code dating from 1970, accused of holding back growth. On the merits, it addresses two major problems in Italy: on one side, layoffs nearly impossible in large companies, the other an increasing precariousness of work, without nets worthy of the name.

To break this duality of the labor market – which is found also in Spain – Mario Monti wants to facilitate layoffs by offering social protection to many workers who are deprived, while facilitating youth employment.

Conventional termination

Socially, unemployment benefits would become universal and will last 12 months – 18 months for seniors – and will reach 1,119 euros per month, more than today cash advance loans. Paternity leave would be introduced in some industries. And a fund to support older unemployed will be created. For Stefano Libman, professor of labor law at Bocconi University of Milan, this reform has the merit of "the basis for social protection for the millions of workers now have access to coverage generalized social."

To help youth employment, the reform provides for the rationalization of the types of contracts. In quarantine, they will be reduced to eight. Learning becomes the model contract and will last three years. "In the short term, with the crisis, it will inevitably lead to layoffs. But ultimately, this will create a stable job, "says Stefano Libman.

Blocks where the reform is on the right of dismissal, framed by Article 18 of the Labour Code, which prohibits dismissal "without just cause." In fact, Article 18 does not block a score of layoffs a year, but in the minds he became the symbol of the rigidity of the Italian labor market. The government insists the review. It plans to introduce a form of "conventional rupture" in the French which allows to separate from an employee by paying compensation of up to 24 months' salary.

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Fender, rock icon, wants to go public

March 13, 2012 - 8:36 am Comments Off

 

The hands of talented British singer and songwriter Eric Clapton, nicknamed "God" (God), she plays alone, the ultimate sound of blues and rock'n'roll. Renowned for its crystal clear sound, the American brand of Fender guitars now also shine on the market scene on Wall Street.

Founded in 1946 by Leo Fender, the legendary American manufacturer of electric guitars, acoustic amplifiers and a record filed Thursday with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to enter "as soon as possible" on the Nasdaq. The date of the introduction, the number of shares offered and their prices have not yet been disclosed.

The company, which will appear on the Stock Exchange under the symbol "FNDR", hopes to raise up to $ 200 million. The inventor of the Stratocaster, the icon of the electric guitar and one of the most popular models in the world, with "use about $ 100 million of revenue raised through this IPO" to repay a portion of its debts, whose amount is close $ 250 million. "In 2011 we were number one in terms of market share in the U.S. in the field of electric guitars, acoustic, and bass amplifiers and electric guitars and basses," the company said.

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, owned by the Weston Presidio investment fund, has made 700.6 million dollars in sales in 2011 to a net profit of 19 million. Some 45% of its sales generated outside the U.S., mainly on the European market.

Also Eric Clapton, Fender has among its faithful ambassadors Keith Richards, Mark Knopfler, David Gilmour, Jeff Beck, Bruce Springsteen or Jimi Hendrix in 1967 who sacrificed his Stratocaster on stage in setting them on fire before smashing against the ground.

The inventor of the Stratocaster and Telecaster, Leo Fender, a creative force unmatched, gave his company to CBS in 1965. Fender grew considerably in the years that followed, before passing through an air hole associated with a lower quality instruments. In the 1980s, CBS will sell all its non-media related. A group of employees and investors led by William Schultz and his family and buy Fender to CBS in 1985.

Started from scratch

The new company had to start from scratch, including the sale or factory or machine. The emblem of the American guitar succeeds, however, his recovery, extending its grip on trademarks Guild, Gretsch, Jackson and Charvel excluding professional sound equipment. In 2008, Fender acquired Kaman Music Corporation (KMC), the largest U.S. independent distributor of musical instruments.

Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, with a production facility in Corona, California, Fender has continued to cross swords with Gibson, another giant of the electric guitar that Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin, is one of the greatest followers. His fetish model, the Les Paul, was designed in the early 1950s. At its heavier and fatter than her rival Stratocaster, the Gibson Les Paul ignites always also rock the world stage.

A nice bonus for employees of Porsche

March 1, 2012 - 11:48 pm Comments Off

 

As manufacturer of luxury, premium luxury. The German carmaker Porsche, fit, will pay a bonus of 7,600 euros to each of its 8,500 employees, under the year 2011.

The manufacturer has the means. Indeed, he beat last year a new record by selling 119,000 vehicles. The company's management intends to reward 'performance and commitment of the workforce. " All employees are concerned, "they work in the kitchen or as an engineer," summarized in a statement Uwe Hück, president of the council. Only downside: this egalitarian reward only applies to employees of Porsche, and not the interim.

Porsche, being acquired by Volkswagen Group, has often been generous with his troops, paying premiums almost every year in recent years. Crisis requires, however, that they were in 1100 euros in 2009, and 3800 euros a year earlier. For 2010, VW and Audi, the two main brands of the Volkswagen empire, as well as Daimler had also spoiled their staff.

The entire German automotive industry is booming. Volkswagen has released record results for 2011. Mercedes (Daimler) and BMW have also posted strong sales last year.

While wage increases are capped by a sector agreement since 2010, the premium German car groups to their employees are a valuable motivational tool. They are modest in relation to the financial health of insolent generous employers.

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"Italy can say thank you to the agencies'

October 5, 2011 - 5:20 pm Comments Off

Lefigaro.fr – Italy can it fail?

Jean-François Jamet – Nobody knows. This is the total blur as both a politically and economically. This will depend on the coming weeks. Today, investors doubted the credibility of the Italian government of Silvio Berlusconi in particular, entangled in scandals about his private life. They do not believe in his ability to find consensus in the short term and implement structural reforms to end a decade of stagnation. Italy is in the situation of a country whose financial situation is very dependent on the psychology of financial markets: the deficit depends on interest rates payable on its debt.

What will happen if Italy does not make structural reforms?

Italian debt will eventually become unsustainable. The risk of panic can not then be excluded.It would then interest rates will soar as investors withdraw massive failure and would become a likely scenario. However, unlike Greece, the risk is lower. First, the country just to pay interest on public debt. Then Italy had a primary surplus, that is to say, it generates a budget surplus, excluding interest payments on public debt. And so if going to Italy the confidence of financial markets – that if the interest rate is not found at high levels (above 6% for bonds to 10 years) – it should not have difficult to stabilize its public debt.Finally, unlike Spain and Ireland, Italy has no problem with private debt.

Just accept the Italian population does a tax increase?

Italy is able to reform itself, it has proved in 1992 and 1993. But if she will be unable Silvio Berlusconi remains in office. The government's failure to carry out structural reforms to boost growth, coupled with the antics of "Il Cavaliere", eventually to exasperate the Italians. As in Spain, early elections must be organized. By this election, a new government must be established: either a national unity government, a government technique, including bureaucrats.This was the case in 1993, a year after the start of the crisis in Italy: the governor of the Italian central bank, no political label, was then elected Chairman and appointed several ministers among its senior officials. The choice of a technical government would nevertheless be a sign that politicians have lost the hand and have not lived up issues.

Finally, is not it a blessing in disguise that the note of Italy was worse?

Paradoxically, Italy can probably say thank you to Standard & Poor's and Moody's. The deterioration of the Italian note the merit of the heart of the debate lack of credibility of Silvio Berlusconi and increase pressure for his departure.While it is regrettable that the rating agencies and interfere in the democratic, political pressure has been mounting in recent months with the electoral success of the opposition and critics of the Confindustria (Italian MEDEF) and even its own majority. One can also regret that the rating agencies and the European states have expected the crisis to sound the alarm about the structural problems that have existed for many years.

Europe can sustainably support it Italy?

It is already doing through the interventions of the European Central Bank to calm speculation on the Italian debt. Once the Member States of the euro area have all ratified the agreement reached in July, the European Financial Stability Fund will take over. However, this support to Italy by its European partners can only buy time.Only reforms and the return to growth will allow Italy to escape the trap of debt inherited from the patronage and corruption which had prevailed during the years 1970 and 1980.

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Shale Gas: Total wants explanation

October 4, 2011 - 5:24 pm Comments Off

The hatchet between opponents of the exploitation of shale gas and industry is far from buried. Following the withdrawal of operating licenses for three shale announced yesterday by the Government, José Bové, leader of the anti-shale has expressed its "satisfaction". Overall, however, said he was "very surprised by this decision." The group has indeed been canceled the license of Montelimar in the Drome and is seeking clarification from the government "to understand what legal grounds" takes place this cancellation. Two other permits, assigned to the U.S. Schuepbach, were also removed, one in the Ardèche and the other in the Larzac.

And if the state backed down on these permits is due to law of 13 July.After a major mobilization led by José Bové and the Greens, elected officials voted this summer a law banning the use of controversial mining technique called hydraulic fracturing. The government had thus given two months to holders of operating licenses for shale gas to specify what operating techniques they planned to use.

In both reports, Schuepbach had clearly stated its intention to use hydraulic fracturing, however, prohibited, said Minister of Ecology. In the report of Total, "it was not the case but I made the point that the report was not credible," said Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet. According to the minister, "Total announces to continue to search for shale gas with techniques that are not hydraulic fracturing, or we now know that these techniques are not operational no fax cash loans."

Decision on 13 octobreTotal not digest these ads. "We are very surprised to learn through the press that the government has decided to revoke the exploration permit without Montelimar Total whom the license was awarded in itself has been informed." The State must publish the full effect of those decisions and those on other 61 operating permit on October 13 in the Official Gazette. Thus remains to be seen what will be the decision of the State concerning the 61 other permits still in progress for which the industry had mentioned the use of a hydraulic fracturing technique. If the majority of these licenses relate to the operation of conventional hydrocarbons, twelve are for non-conventional hydrocarbons and potentially gas from coal or oil shale, especially in the Paris basin.

José Bové is awaiting the decision of the state.Already, the Green MEP which combined movement against the gas and oil shale warns that "continued engagement on the ground and before administrative tribunals" in case of maintenance allowed the industrial explicit mention of an appeal to the technique of hydraulic fracturing or operation of these products shale.

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The Paris Bourse is expected to again attempt a rebound

September 7, 2011 - 2:20 pm Comments Off

The Paris Bourse on Wednesday will try to stop his downward series. The CAC 40 closed yesterday on a third round of consecutive decline, the lowest of the year and still under 3000 points. This time, to consolidate their recovery, operators should rely on the good mood of the Asian markets who have chosen to embark on a bargain hunting.

Closing slightly lower on Wall Street should also reassure the markets. The New York Stock Exchange, which remained very cautious, however, has not panicked by the announcement of a good non-manufacturing ISM index. All good news about the health of the U.S. economy are highly valued in a context of fear of a recession in America. As such, investors are waiting to know the details of the Fed's Beige Book, which will be announced tonight.Tomorrow, Thursday, will also be a crucial day in Congress with the speech of President Barack Obama on employment. The CNN already believes that it will propose to spend $ 300 billion to new posts. These new expenditures should be fully offset by budget cuts.

Germany at the center of attention

Side the euro area, all eyes turned to the German Constitutional Court which shall decide on Wednesday on the legality of the financial contribution of Berlin plans to help Europe. The observers could never imagine, however, that the Court considers illegal contributions already provided by Berlin, which would cause a cataclysm in the euro area. Chancellor Angela Merkel plans to comment on the decision of the Court in a speech to the Bundestag in the morning.

The European Commission has also expressed his relief after Tuesday night's decision by the Italian Government's plan to strengthen budgetary discipline, while financial markets doubted the real will of Rome to reduce its deficit. For its part, the Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, acknowledged Tuesday the difficult economic situation, highlighting the problem of Greece, and "tensions" in the markets, but said that Spain 's will not need help.

The single currency was this morning up 0.34% to 1.4055 dollar. It is particularly supported by the decision of the Swiss National Bank (SNB) to set a floor price of 1.20 francs per euro.Oil side, in the early electronic trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in October gained 51 cents to 86.53 dollars per barrel of Brent North Sea crude for October delivery 39 cents to 113.28 dollars .

Values ​​to follow on Wednesday

• Banking

Countries in the euro area have no plans for financial support to banks beyond and above what was planned for the financial sector rescue packages in Greece, Ireland and Portugal, have sources said Tuesday the euro area. For its part, Greece wants to extend the powers of its central bank to strengthen bank supervision, hoping to put the sector in the shelter of a worsening debt crisis, according to a bill presented Tuesday.

• Air France-KLM

The company reported passenger traffic up 7.6% in August, a load factor of 85.7% on the month and stability of cargo traffic (-0.2%) with capacity up 2.8%.

• Pernod Ricard

The group said they did not consider major strategic acquisitions before next summer at least.

• Scor

The reinsurer expects to achieve a volume of gross written premiums, equivalent to sales of 10 billion euros in 2013, against 6.7 billion in 2010, according to a statement posted Wednesday on the occasion of a day devoted investors.

• Sodexo

The group, a global leader in catering, has announced the acquisition of Puras do Brasil, Brazil's number two industry, in a statement.With this self-financed operation, Sodexo will become number one in Brazil, a rapidly growing market where Puras do Brasil realizes a turnover of half a billion euros.

• Valeo

The group announced its intention to repurchase up to 670,000 of its shares to a maximum of 22.5 million euros in connection with operations authorized by the General Assembly in June These shares will be allocated for the implementation of any plan of options to purchase shares in the allocation of shares in respect of participation or implementation of any company savings plan.

• Biomérieux

The group released a consolidated net profit up 3.7% to 75 million euros in the first half and said forecast for 2011 organic growth in sales of around 5%, against a previous target of +5% or + 6%, in a context of weak European economy and the U.S..

• Boiron

The specialist in homeopathy said the uncertainties in the economic environment for caution in its annual outlook after a deuixème trimesre marked by a 3.3% decline in sales. This decline in activity, combined with an increase in personnel costs and a continued investment in advertising, led to a fall of 92.5% of operating profit in the first half of the year.

• Transgene

The specialist therapeutic vaccines has announced a net loss dug to 17.7 million in the first half, against -14.5 million a year earlier, but said he expected a second part of a year rich in results and starting clinical trials.

Europe is 158 billion to save Greece

July 22, 2011 - 8:40 am Comments Off

The leaders of the eurozone announced Thursday evening in Brussels a second plan to save Greece from bankruptcy, a total of 158 billion euros, with substantial contributions from banks and other private creditors of the country.

Indeed, the creditor banks in Greece will contribute to a further aid to this country to the tune of 135 billion euros over 30 years, said French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the end of a summit of the euro zone in Brussels . "In total, the effort will be 135 billion over 30 years" only for private creditors of Greece, he said. The assistance will be 54 billion euros over three years (mid 2011-2014).

The leaders of the euro area showed a "firm commitment" in favor of Greece at their summit, also said French President Nicolas Sarkozy during a press conference."We decided to support Greece as a member of the euro and the euro area. It is a strong commitment "said Nicolas Sarkozy.

Proposals to improve governance

Proposals to improve the governance of the euro area will be made "before the end of summer" with German Chancellor Angela Merkel also announced French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Chancellor Angela "Merkel and I are agreed on the need to advance economic governance in the coming weeks so ambitious and proactive," said Nicolas Sarkozy told reporters. "Before the end of the summer, we will make proposals.(…) Our aim is to seize the opportunity of the Greek crisis to make a qualitative leap in the governance of the euro area, "he added, without giving details cashadvance.

In addition, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will participate in the financing plan, according to President of the European Union (EU) Herman Van Rompuy. "We have reached agreement on a new aid program to fully cover the financing needs" of Greece, which "will be funded by both the EU and the IMF," he told a press conference.

Trichet welcomed the new plan

For his part Jean-Claude Trichet, ECB president, welcomed the new aid package of nearly 160 billion euros decided to Greece, holding "crucial" to stabilize the economy.The new support program of the European Union and the International Monetary Fund is crucial to stabilize public finances "of Greece and" to ensure the sustainability of public debt "of the country, he told reporters after a summit the euro area.

He also welcomed the fact that the private sector to plan aid is limited to only Greece and is not intended for other countries. The ECB had expressed concern in recent months of such a contribution, seeing a potential for worsening of the debt crisis.

Also present in Brussels, Christine Lagarde, the new director general of the IMF said the institution would continue "to play its part" to help Athens.Christine Lagarde, who praised "the significant support to the growth and financial stability" of Heads of State and Government of the euro area and financial institutions, said in a statement that any new aid was subject to Athens the will of the Board of the IMF.