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"If I am elected, I do not gèlerai, but I stoop down the salary of the president and ministers of 30%." By November 2011, Francois Hollande had made the campaign promise very symbolic, while Nicolas Sarkozy marked the spirits in increase of 172% net salary (of 7,084 to 19,331 euros) on arrival at the Elysee. Invited on France 2 on Wednesday night, the new prime minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, announced that this commitment would be the first of his government. Hardly installed at Matignon, he will propose a 30% drop in the wages of members of government from the first cabinet meeting on Thursday afternoon. "This is exemplary," said he explained. This measure will be a decree, he said.

The gross monthly salary of Ministers will be up to 14,200 euros per month, to 9,940 euros. That of the Prime Minister will also be trimmed from 21,200 euros to 14,840 euros gross. Like, finally, the compensation of the President of the Republic. With a plane that has a surprising consequence. Ex-Ministers continue to earn more than their successors for another six months. Indeed, each team member Francois Fillon retain his salary during this period. A privilege granted to all former ministers, who lose their theory, however, other benefits.

Largest decline in Europe

If they come later than in other European countries, this decline in compensation of government is by far the strongest. One of the first to take this measure, as he tried to impose on his country a vast austerity plan, was the Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen. From 2009, he had reduced his salary and that of his ministers by 15%. In the process, in May 2010, Spain followed the movement by announcing a 15% reduction of salaries of its ministers. In the UK, the British prime minister, David Cameron, newly installed in power, his ministers imposed a 5% decrease in their pay. A dry diet made subsequently by Italy and Portugal, among others.

In Europe a constraint to fiscal Germany still appears a prosperous island. While the German economy grew by 2% annual rate in the first quarter, Angela Merkel and her ministers were granted for the first time in twelve years an increase of wages. The Cabinet decided on Wednesday to a 5.7% increase in three stages by August 2013, bringing the salary of Angela Merkel to about 17,016 euros gross per month and those of his ministers to about 13,795 euros.  

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Since Friday, the plant Fralib is occupied by its employees. A situation that is denounced by the president of Unilever France, Bruno Witvoët. "This is unacceptable in a constitutional state, says in an interview in Paris-Today-in-France. Such a coup with hooded individuals armed with baseball bats and batons, it is not of union action, it's a commando! ". The boss of Unilever France claiming the expulsion "immediate and prompt action with law enforcement" employees, has also filed a complaint for "physical threats" from the police. "From fabrications," Olivier replied Leberquier, CGT union. According to the police of Aubagne, intervened at the scene, there would have been no collision.

"Holland must keep its promises"

"Closing a plant is always a very difficult decision, Bruno recognizes Witvoët. But in some cases – including tea bags – we have overcapacity. This is justified in stopping this site ". He said Unilever has taken responsibility in the case of employees of Fralib, accepting "to add additional resources for the revitalization of the local employment" as required by justice. "Funds for creating new jobs has increased from 1 to 1.5 million euros" and "each dismissed employee is entitled to an internal transfer, pay the same conditions, in one of six other plants in France , "he said.

This new twist, the 592nd day of the conflict comes as 80 of the 103 employees still struggle, of 182 initially received their letter of dismissal. At the same time, a moving company came to do a quote on the site, and management proposed the CGT to move out of its local business, or in organizing the escorted access, for reasons of safety concerns, dismantling machinery. A scenario rejected by the union, which wants to keep the tool working on site to implement an alternative plan of recovery of activity.

Given this situation, unions are demanding the intervention of Francois Hollande. During the presidential campaign, President-elect said: "Nothing is done, nothing is guaranteed and if victory comes, I will also be at your side, President of the French Republic, to get your site live, had he launched at a meeting of employees Fralib in Paris in February. "The company is now under the control of the CGT and the Netherlands should keep its promises. His election is a ray of hope, "says Olivier Leberquier. The standoff between employees Fralib and its direction is far from over.

If it is a voice that carried Washington to moderate the heat-regulating the political class, it is that Jamie Dimon. Basking in the solid background of his bank during the 2008-2009 financial crisis, the CEO of JP Morgan had indeed become the "king" of risk control. And for four years, it is he who plays the role of informal spokesman of the profession when it comes to denounce the excesses or inconsistencies of new financial regulations.

This means that the trading loss of JP Morgan will cause shock waves far beyond the U.S. bank itself. Because the event takes place at the heart of a highly topical debate in the U.S. and Europe: that the application of the Volcker rule. This rule, named after former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, seeks to prohibit banks that collect deposits from households to perform speculative operations. It was incorporated into the enormous legislative package – the Dodd-Frank – pass Congress in 2010 and any revision of financial regulation.

Activity called "cover"

Prevent commercial banks from becoming casino, the idea is consensual. But the implementation creates endless debates. The Volcker rule bans the proprietary trading – made with the bank's own funds and not on behalf of clients – and the management of hedge funds low fee payday loans. The definition of proprietary trading is difficult, however, and all the lobbying power of Wall Street is deployed to make it as restrictive as possible.

In the coming days, no doubt the arguments will carry less! Because JP Morgan has accused its massive loss on an activity called "coverage" – supposed therefore limit the risks taken by the bank, the kind of jobs that financial institutions want to continue in the future and they refuse to qualify speculative activities

.

What happened to JP Morgan will undoubtedly also affect Europe. The Old Continent is currently considering adopting its own "Volcker rule". A group of experts work on the matter at the request of the European Commission. Francois Hollande and included in its program a law of separation of banking activities. Jamie Dimon is in spite of himself to bring water to his mill.

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Athens: the message of the Communists. Five days of Greek elections of 6 May, several thousand people (18,000 according to police), especially communists showed around Athens and Thessaloniki, the second largest city, struck by a particularly harsh austerity policy. This statutory holiday, traditionally celebrated as the "day of general strike" in the private and the public gathered including more than 8,000 activists of Workers Struggle Front, close to the Communist Party, a suburb of Athens, in support of workers a steel plant on strike for several months in protest against wage cuts. In Salonika 7,000 people demonstrated, mostly militants Pame.

Madrid against the new reform travail.Sous the slogan "Work, dignity, rights. They want to destroy everything ", some 100,000 protesters marched in 80 cities in Spain. In Focus events: budget cuts and labor reform adopted in February by the Conservative government. "New labor reform: towards a world of slaves," proclaimed a huge banner displayed to the start of the parade. Introduced to boost labor market since the explosion damaged the housing bubble in 2008, the reform is far from proven: Spain has broken a new record Friday of unemployment in industrialized countries, with assets of four (24.4%) unemployed.

Jakarta against loss of activity due to outsourcing. In Indonesia, about 9000 people, supervised by 16,000 police and soldiers, marched in the capital Jakarta to demand wage increases and denounce the loss of activity due to outsourcing. With its 240 million inhabitants, Indonesia is one of the highest growth rates in the world (over 6% per year) thanks to its vast natural resources. But half the population is still below the international poverty line while the average monthly salary, which is just over one hundred euros, just to follow the continually rising cost of living no fax cash advance.

Hong Kong: a minimum wage increase. This area of ​​7 million people is home to many millionaires, but also hundreds of thousands of working poor. Of these, 5,000 demonstrators called for an improvement of pensions, supervision of weekly working hours and a minimum hourly wage hike of 28 Hong Kong dollars (2.7 euros) to $ 33.

Manila: fighting for purchasing power. In the Philippines, they were walking toward a 3000 presidential palace in Manila, waving portraits of President Benigno Aquino. Workers in this country plagued by corruption where a quarter of the 95 million population live on $ 1 a day their leader in dog caricature orders of foreign capitalists.

Moscow: 150,000 pro-Kremlin protesters. Less than a week of his inauguration, President-elect Vladimir Putin and the outgoing head of state Dmitry Medvedev joined a large pro-Kremlin protest organized for Labor Day in downtown Moscow. Some 150,000 demonstrators attended the rally, police said. The two leaders headed the procession, in a friendly atmosphere, on the bottom of a sign "We're strong!" The last appearance of a Russian head of state in a parade of May 1 was in 1996 when Boris Yeltsin was very unpopular protesters joined a few weeks before the presidential election.

New York: a test to Occupy Wall Street. The Wall Street Occupy movement that attracted international attention with its protests last September wishes to maintain its waning influence in connection with the May 1. Of gathering are planned, including New York and San Francisco. Public participation in these events will determine the future of a movement undermined by the lack of financial and internal dissent.

Relations already chilly between Canal + and the Competition Authority has further strained a little more. Without much surprise, the Sages of the Rue de l'Echelle decided to open a detailed examination phase of the acquisition of two free DTT channels Direct 8 Direct Star by Canal + with the Bolloré Group.

This decision follows a first round of talks between the policeman of the competition and Groupe Canal + on remedies for this operation. The concern of the competition authority is that Canal + uses its dominant position in the acquisition of broadcasting rights for pay-TV rights to negotiate jointly for future free channels. Clearly, the danger is that Canal + is negotiating with the U.S. studios' rights sets for both Canal + and Direct 8. Thus, the group led by Mr. Meheut could oust TF1, M6, or any other chain of the DTT market with the acquisition of rights. For example, the rights for pay-TV Desperate Housewives (produced by ABC) are owned by Canal + when those same rights for free TV are the M6. The competition authority wants to avoid in the future, that same series is broadcast on Canal + and then on Direct 8.

Second concern: the Canal + group has a film studio, Studio Canal +, which sells movies all free channels after a stint on Canal +. The competition watchdog wants to prevent the films from Studio Canal ending up systematically on Direct 8 over other competing channels cheap business cards.

These key points have been part of negotiations open between Canal + and the competition authority since 21 February. Canal + was proposed in late March, a series of commitments. But they were written so that these commitments do not seem to be very restrictive, was then analyzed the competition authority.

It must be said that the competition watchdog has been scalded by the attitude of Canal +. Five years after the acquisition of TPS by Canal + in 2006, The Competition Authority has, uncharacteristically, withdrew the repurchase authorization. the reason? Canal + has not fulfilled a number of the 57 commitments he then took. Including the fact of maintaining the quality of the channel TPS Star, premium channel distributed by all the competing platforms CanalSat.

Remedies imposed

Worse, even as the competition authority has opened new negotiations on the purchase of TPS, Canal + decided to close its chain altogether TPS Star. A decision that was very badly received by the Sages of the Rue de l'Echelle.

In deciding a thorough review of the acquisition of Direct 8 Direct and Star, the competition authority wants to put pressure on Canal +. Either it offers significant remedies or the competition authority to impose under the injunctive unilateral. Both parties have until July to agree.

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They are the world 4000. These are created corporate universities, including training for all employees into thinking strategy, relationships with customers and suppliers. In France, they are still relatively under-exploited compared to a country like the U.S. (they exist only in 42% of companies surveyed by Ipsos for the Panorama HR BearingPoint).

Accor has pioneered in France, with the launch of the first university (called Academy) in 1985 in Evry (Essonne). Since then, the network giant's hospitality has grown and now has 17 academies around the world, attended each year by 135,000 students (for an average of 3 days).

37 000 employees trained in Saffron

According to BearingPoint, corporate universities should be less a place of production of content for reflection on trades or animation of the sectors. The University of BNP Paribas, installed twenty years at Louveciennes near Paris, recalls in this context that 75% of training efforts are devoted to technical aspects and 25% are cross-curricular competencies.

Physical sites or campuses in schools that organize their behalf training sessions? Forms of corporate universities are diverse. The engine manufacturer Safran devotes 13 acres near Paris to house its campus, the Safran Corporate University, plus the locations in Beijing and Dallas, to train 37,000 employees each year. Same strategy for Veolia, which has 21 campuses worldwide, including 6 in France, or EDF, which has consolidated its business academy in Les Mureaux, near Paris.

Other companies prefer partnerships with academia. Like the Mazars University, founded in 2006 by the specialist in auditing and consulting. As for PSA, he plans to sign this year no less than twenty-three partnerships with colleges and universities. The manufacturer intends to target the most prestigious colleges in each region. A strategy that resulted in France by the creation of chairs at the Polytechnic or Mines.

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The main presidential candidates have one thing in common: they announce tax increases for years to come. None of them claim to return to zero deficit by cutting public expenditure only: they know that the remedy would be too much for the French social model. In addition, candidates are aware that economic growth alone will not fill the public coffers.

On this point, economists are even more cautious. Nicolas Sarkozy expects a GDP growth of 2% from 2014, Francois Hollande 2% in 2014 and 2.25% thereafter. "It would be wiser to predict growth of 1.5%," said Jean-Christophe Caffet, economist at Natixis. "And above all, to the same level, growth will generate less tax revenues spontaneously that during the expansion phase of pre-2007", warning Mathieu Plane, an economist at OFCE.

Mechanically, when the GDP is up, after the mandatory deductions. More profit, this means more corporate tax (IS), higher wages, better social security contributions and income tax (IR), etc.. But according to the type of growth, the correlation is stronger or weaker.

The economy of the early 2000s, characterized by a housing boom, was particularly conducive to tax revenue. And transfer taxes, a tax on real estate transactions, they reported to local authorities 9.6 billion in 2007, against 4.7 billion in 2000. The revenues of the ISF have almost doubled (2.2 billion in 2000, 4 billion in 2007). "Growth was also driven by household spending. A boon to the State whose main tax, VAT, sits on consumption, "adds Jean-Christophe Caffet. Finally, the SI was doped up to 2007 by record profits of banks. In a 2008 report, Philippe Marini, then general reporter (UMP) of the Senate Finance Committee, spoke of the hypothesis of a "bubble" of € 10 billion on tax burden.

"Adjustment Period"

A bubble that broke with the financial crisis. Scarce, taxes and social contributions decreased in 2009. The IS has collapsed, yielding 21 billion in 2009 against 51 billion in 2007. Since then, the tax burden returned to their pre-crisis level, with the exception of the SI (39 billion in 2011). "But if there had been no crisis, levies would exceed 23 billion that they are today. There is indeed a structural loss of revenue, "said Mathilde Lemoine, director of economic studies of HSBC.

In addition, revenues will not recover their train of yesteryear. "The growth model due to housing boom and strong consumer is finished. We have entered a period of adjustment, where wages will rise slightly. VAT, transfer duties, but also social contributions will grow less quickly, "said Jean-Christophe Caffet. So over the spontaneous surge of revenues, as before 2007. That's why taxpayers are involved since 2010. And if the economic growth forecast by the candidates was not at the rendezvous, higher taxes might be higher than 50 billion program of Francois Hollande and 16 billion provided by Nicolas Sarkozy.

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To provide a bright future, A Day Elsewhere facelift can not escape. The fund AtriA Capital Partners, majority shareholder of this brand of ready-to-wear "chic" for mature women, changed the executive chairman last year. Mission entrusted to Jean-Pierre Charpentier, "rejuvenate and dress the bride," says the new boss. Reinvigorate, or redressing, businesses to better sell, it's his job. This former CEO of France Loisirs has restored color to both sign Jacadi.

A Day Elsewhere door certainly does not hurt: slight profit, the company posted 187.2 million euros in turnover in 2011, up 3.5% on a comparable basis, 78% achieved in the Hexagon , which are installed 145 of its 215 stores.

However, seniors in the 2010s dressing "younger" and "Zara" than their elders, A Day Elsewhere urgently needed to afford a makeover in an attempt to conquer them. And reach more customers transgenerational, 45 to 99 years. Great first, advertising campaign of 2 million was distributed in a fashion magazine. Innovations emerge every month now, and the shops are gradually déringardisées.

Transfer of production

Exit the columns of a Greek temple and cloud ceilings kitsch. Storefronts are painted in taupe and white. Inside unfolds a light mango furniture. This new concept will rally by the end of March 30 of 215 stores. The loan-to-wear, if he retains the best-selling brand, collections "ceremony" models "cruise", gets a new line: The Essentials. An agreement with Swarovski helped to decorate jackets or coats of crystal knobs, glamourisant tailors declined in gray, black or blue.

As for accessories, an independent designer who has worked for Lancel, reinvented bags and pouches, covering them with bright leather or monogrammed coated canvas. Another, from Chanel Fantasy, has transformed the glass and plastic charms in gold or silver plated jewelry, more likely. Their prices range from 40 to 200 euros. They are made in France, where Jean-Pierre Charpentier also would like to produce more textiles. Fiber polyester, wrinkle resistant, currently produced in Korea, might as well, says he, being in the Hexagon.

A dual source of supply

The group has already relocated nearly 80% of its supply in Turkey and Eastern Europe, retaining only 20% in Asia, less competitive with rising production costs. For some products, Jean-Pierre Charpentier dual sourcing, shared between Asia and Europe. "I have adopted this system of dual-sourcing the day, when I was at Jacadi," he recalls, "we have not received the collection time for a parade." …. ….

These changes should attract 2 million customers registered in the global roster of A Day Elsewhere, Belgium, Luxembourg and Italy. For 2012, openings are provided, with the new concept, particularly in Brazil, with two to three stores by 2013, and the U.S., in department stores. Meanwhile China.

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Hocus-pocus, coup, betrayal … and Socialist Trade Unions slam in chorus the vote "on the sly," Jan. 31 in the Assembly, a provision that amends the labor law. Section 40 of the bill Warsmann simplification of the law provides that "the establishment of a distribution of hours over a period longer than the week and not more than the year under a collective agreement is not a change in the employment contract. "It aims to extend a 2008 law which allows to modulate the working time per company agreement but requires the approval of each employee. A condition that prevents any modulation in practice.

Alain Vidal, in charge of employment in the Holland team, justified his opposition to this change: "A new organization of work may be incompatible with the family and personal life of each employee." ……. .

"The employee will have no choice but to accept the blackmail against new employment zones and / or pay cut, otherwise the dismissal without recourse," says Bernard Thibault (CGT).

But above all, Jean-Claude Mailly (FO) sees a "gap" to develop competitive employment agreements, while Francois Fillon has given two months to the social partners to negotiate on this idea. "This is a first step in the government's willingness to allow the employer to lower both working time and remuneration without the explicit agreement of the employee," he feared. "It is contradictory that Parliament legislates on an element of negotiation to be open, except to reduce the usefulness of this negotiation," abounds Francois Chereque (CFDT).

Short memory

"This provision only relates to working time arrangements and not contrary to the logic of competitiveness, employment agreements, to the articulation agreement in the same working time, work organization and remuneration", they responded by Xavier Bertrand wrote Same day payday loans. The Minister sees no "interference with the negotiation," which starts Friday.

Unions are also far from having discovered this provision on January 31. It had been passed in the same terms, at first reading, the … October 18. So, before Nicolas Sarkozy calls for competitive employment agreements. And social partners had been consulted on the text in September by the Ministry of Labour! The CGT had cried foul but the CFDT held that section would "in the right direction." As for the PS, he had voted in the late 1990s, laws in 35 hours, a provision that an agreement down-modulating working time would be required for each employee.

"No organization has raised the subject during the preparatory meetings at the Social Summit, nor subsequent discussions on competitiveness employment agreements," says Xavier Bertrand. "We had forgotten," says a trade unionist. The text should be considered on second reading in the Senate next Monday, and then finally adopted by the deputies on Feb. 29.

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