Archive for the ‘finance’ Category

The social cost of rigor will fly mid-2012

October 24, 2011 - 3:14 am Comments Off

Tears and blood. After a "transition year" due to the hope of a recovery – finalementdouché by the sovereign debt crisis – and waiting for the presidential, the French will have to prepare for the worst. This is essentially what promise the combination of HR, Personnel & Company (E & P), in the 2011 vintage of his note of social conditions. "The scenario of the fall of 2012 may be highly deceptive and folders in the news, as detonators, regardless of the majority that won," predicts Jean-Pierre Basilian, the author.

For him, the implementation of a genuine policy of rigor, at the end of the presidential election, is no longer any doubt. "With the electoral process, the implementation of proposals on the table, the French will put their hopes for change in politics," he warns.But these expectations "may be disappointed" by the weight of economic realities. "It regardless of the majority that exit polls, austerity policies, fiscal restraint, increased direct and indirect taxes that lie ahead," says Jean-Pierre and Basilian, with the key "a challenging progressive "social shock absorbers, they have worked well during the crisis, appear outdated.

Chilling post-election

The question is whether more rigor to the sauce Greek or British, will become a reality in France. "In all dimensions of social protection, changes will need to be committed in the name of debt reduction, competitiveness of our economy and employment," swears E & P. The questions are rather on the acceptability of austerity policies developed low fee cash advance."At what point will the social cost he found unbearable, by which social groups?, Asks Jean-Pierre Basilian. Where will the divide? The foundation of social cohesion will break there? "If the worst is never certain, it is still really far away. Everything will depend in the end, according to the association, "the representation that citizens will be social justice" policy implementation "of the fair contribution of each social group efforts."

The shower post-election may be all the more ice that three major social issues are at the heart of the presidential debates. First employment, "the first concern of the French," associated with the competitiveness of the economy and a target of lower labor costs."The sharp slowdown in growth can have a negative effect on the rate of unemployment figures the next few months should not be good and may approach or exceed 10%," says the association. Second, youth employment and efficiency of the education system to find a solution to "lost to 18.0000" coming out every year of school without a diploma. And third, the preservation of a social protection floor. "For a taxation of contributions? A decrease joint benefits? "Asks E & P. "In any case, we will not avoid the issue of cost and financing," predicts Jean-Pierre Basilian.

ALSO READ:

"New austerity measures are not excluded

"Unemployment: The ILO describes a" traumatized generation "

Officials: 51% turnout professional

October 23, 2011 - 12:30 am Comments Off

Barely more than one agent in two has passed. Participation in professional elections in state civil service fell 51% against 70% in previous elections. This dip can be explained by the Ministry of Education (more than half of voters), where the number of voters has plummeted to 38.5%. Participation has also maintained or slightly increased.

Several unions of education have questioned the electronic voting used for the first time. Besides errors "classic" in sending the professions of faith or the constitution of electoral lists – that private voting some candidates! – Bugs, especially complex and lengthy procedures have discouraged or computer agents prevented some from voting.The FSU, crumbling a bit, but still by far in the lead for Education (40.6%, double the UNSA and three times the CFDT and FOR), the judge "malfunctions" so many they constitute a "denial of social democracy." According to the CGT, "for 10% of the workforce, the conditions were not met in order to vote." Tens of thousands of voters have not received the code allowing them to vote.

Demobilization

"The elections were conducted generally without real difficulty," scans the Minister of Public Service, citing the use of "modern" and "environmentally responsible". François Sauvadet "rejects the word" failed ". Participation is also the result of the decision of each agent to vote or not. " The officers had "one week to decide," says one colleague in Education, Luc Chatel.Favor of electronic voting and … up, the CFDT and Unsa also note that if teachers are not mobilized, principals or administrative officers of Education have been more involved, as postal workers, while they also voted on the Internet. The vote for the first time, contract – which the unions have not always paid great attention – may also explain the poor performance against.

Mechanical consequence of the demobilization of troops of Education, FSU – so far the first union of all the public service of this state, but almost exclusively among teachers – see the gap is closing with its competitors low fee payday loans.It drops to 20.9% of the votes (19.1% including private school teachers under contract, for the first time integrated into the social dialogue bodies of the state).

The reformists up

His pursuers, rather than reformist protesters, progress: FOR 17.8% (16.2% with private school teachers), the UNSA with 16.7% (15.3%), with 12.6% CFDT (14.5%). Then come the CGT with 13.4% (12.8%), Partners with 6.5% (6.2%), CFE-CGC with 6.3% (5.8%) and the CFTC with 1, 6% (3.9%). FO heels and the FSU and even seems able to catch up. However, the CFTC could disappear from the list of allowed unions to negotiate and sign agreements for all the officials, failing sufficient score.

But these results should be taken with a grain of salt: more than 300 000 registered agents are still missing the call, about 2 million.Are integrated nor France Telecom nor the Department of Justice, who will vote Nov. 22. In the first case, it was always intended, in the second the vote was postponed at the last minute because they have been properly prepared.

They do not include either the results of the Ministries of Economy and Budget, who had not finished stripping, yesterday afternoon. What added a little more sense of improvisation and confusion. At some point – even among union leaders – questioned whether Bercy did not take pleasure in soap the plank at the Department of Civil Service, at the forefront of this election. In the week already, as the "flop" of participation seemed to indicate the climate was tense between 101 and 110 rue de Grenelle – seat of the Ministry of Public Service and that of the National Education.

ALSO READ:

"Elections unprecedented in the public

"Redistribution between public service unions

Renault is organized to improve safety

October 16, 2011 - 4:18 am Comments Off

Six months after the end of the disastrous false spy case, the flowchart of Renault is unrecognizable. The large "household" began on April 11, according to the findings of an internal audit of the dysfunctions of the company during this crisis. That day, under government pressure, many players in this fiasco had been removed. Led by Patrick Pelata, number two, since replaced by Carlos Tavares. But also members of the famous security service, the chief executives, Jean-Yves Coudriou, the legal director, Christian Husson, and Secretary General, Laurence Dors.

This is also the same date as the foundation of the current organization had been thrown, with the creation of a Deputy Director of Superpost for president, told Mouna Sepehri, comprising the General Secretariat, and the law.Meanwhile, the Human Resources Directorate was attached to the CEO.

This structure was subsequently refined in late July, after a report by Alain Bauer, Alain Juillet and Eric Delbecque, all three experts on economic security. They advocated to link security to delegate to the presidency and create a structure of security control – inspection – dependent on the CEO.

This reorganization is clearly intended to prevent the excesses of winter – where the direction of Renault had managed the business with an incredible amateur, without resorting to the Central Directorate of Internal Intelligence (DCRI) – can reproduce easy pay day loans.Carlos Ghosn, the CEO, why close all security issues with him, as they were once buried in the depths of the organization, and has mounted a much more professional.

Prevent skidding

Friday, the new recruits were officially presented. Among the main changes, Eric Le Grand, head of security at the Post supports this function at Renault. Jean-Marc Berlioz, former head of the General Inspectorate of the National Police, who was also an adviser to Nicolas Sarkozy and Hortefeux of the Ministry of the Interior, is entrusted with the inspection of the security service. He will report to the CEO, as the direction of internal audit, and that of ethics, whose boss is being recruited.

Communication, finally, was renewed.It is also the responsibility of Mouna Sepehri, who was charged in April to reflect "the lessons of the crisis" in this area. We remember the disastrous intervention of Carlos Ghosn on TF1, saying it was evidence "multiple". The management of this service returns to Florence Goldfiem, a former journalist. She will be responsible for bringing the "serenity" and "pride" to the group, and improve the image of Carlos Ghosn, dented by the crisis. Oil and its relations with the French elites and policies, which have little support, while "helping him to refine his understanding of French culture," says one in-house.

Air France flight testing a "bio" between Toulouse and Orly

October 14, 2011 - 10:07 am Comments Off

Apart from small stickers indicating the presence of biodiesel in the tanks, nothing distinguishes the A321 Air France reduced in C02 a regular camera. Yet the company wanted to create the event Thursday by the AF6129 flight between Toulouse and Orly the most efficient carbon dioxide emissions.

Lufthansa, KLM and Aeromexico have conducted experiments of this type, but Air France has combined the use of biofuel and all means of reducing its CO2 emissions. This is an operation of "teaching and outreach," according to Bertrand Lebel, Executive Vice President for Sustainable Development of Air France KLM.

To make half as much C02 as a classic flight, Air France has played on several tables. First, it has reduced the weight of the aircraft short-and medium-haul (seats, trolleys, trucks …).Then, the pilot chooses a path optimized and continues without remedy to the rise and descent. A European project, named Cesar, was launched to generalize better traffic management and trajectories. To be deployed in Europe, 20 billion euros will have to be invested in Cesar.

Besides the weight and trajectory, the use of biofuel, supplied by SkyNRG, a subsidiary of KLM, is the major focus of this demonstration. "KLM has the chance to control the whole chain of its refueling, which is not our case," says Bertrand Lebel. Air France executives make no secret of its suppliers of kerosene engines are not in the desire to diversify the sources of fuel. "We have received support from Airbus in Toulouse in order to organize the supply of this unit.In Paris, we could not do that. "Half of the fuel used on this flight is the result of recycling of waste oil. The company chose not to use fuel from agriculture. "We do not want the biokerosene be in competition with food," says Deputy Director General. In addition, Air France will join the CEA to open in the Meuse a biofuel produced through the use of forest waste.

Permits to pollute

Air France is far to consider a generalization of the experience: "The company will not be able to use the best bio-fuels by 2020," says Bertrand Lebel.At this date, biofuel will not represent more than 2 to 4% of airline demand.

Another important measure to reduce CO2 emissions, the use of permits to pollute under a European directive which comes into force is set to January. It will apply to European airlines and companies in the world who will enter the European space. Some fear retaliation. Thus, China Southern is negotiating to bring its A380 between Paris and Shanghai, which would allow its partner Air France KLM to do the same. But if EU legislation is too restrictive, China Southern may prefer to Sydney to Paris.

ALSO READ:

"Air France passenger traffic up

"Air France 110 aircraft orders to Airbus and Boeing

The Deposit negotiating its terms with Dexia

October 11, 2011 - 5:42 am Comments Off

The directors of Dexia and states have approved most of the steps needed to dismantle Dexia. Belgium has proposed the purchase to 4 billion euros in Dexia Bank Belgium (DBB), letter of intent attached to the communiqué issued after the board in support. A similar document should also have been initialed on the negotiations with the Deposit and Postal Bank on the financing of local authorities.But according to two sources familiar with the conditions of an agreement between Dexia and Caisse des depots were not met on Monday.

A week ago, however, after an operation of mediation between the parties led by René Ricol, the Deposit and Dexia had agreed on the outlines of the deal: the CDC should buy Dexia Municipal Agency The vehicle refinancing loans from Dexia's long-term form of bonds, for a price estimated at 250 million euros. So business savvy. But the data have changed in the day Saturday, Dexia reassessing its estimate to 380 million.This morning, without targeting specific operation Dexma, Pierre Mariani reaffirmed its determination to defend the interests of the bank and its shareholders.

Another crystallizes the tension between the French public institution and its subsidiary to 20%: the definition of liability guarantees granted by the latter to the former in connection with the operation. Due to insufficient data, the investment committee of the Caisse des depots, while conscious of the urgency has given an advisory opinion but negative on the operation hours of the board of the Franco-Belgian bank.

Simple adventures of a complex negotiation and tense? Recalled to the rescue Saturday night, Rene Ricol has at least reconfirmed the terms of the consensus snatched the previous weekend. The subject should again grow rapidly.We need it to maintain the balance of the scheme to dismantle and symmetry of the actions of both sides of the Franco-Belgian border.

The successor to Tim Cook has a clear path

October 10, 2011 - 10:31 am Comments Off

Everything is planned for the next five years. Even the price performance has been limited, rising 0.9% yesterday afternoon in the U.S., despite the death of the Wizard of Apple. Steve Jobs had prepared his succession to the millimeter. Six weeks ago, he had entrusted the keys of the company to Tim Cook, his loyal second, which made the group very profitable. He even left a road map for future innovations. "I think the list of products is stopped for three to five years ahead," said Pierre Peladeau, vice president of consulting firm Booz & Co.

The iPhone is growing at a second screen and payment functions, to become a real game console and an electronic purse. Most importantly, Apple will continue in his way, his real trademark, oversimplify the use of machines which become, therefore, luxury goods, high-margin.The speech recognition system "Siri", presented this week for the iPhone 4S by Tim Cook, should get on Macintosh computers and iPods the most advanced. Recognition of movements and even that of the user, as is the case for the Microsoft Xbox 360, should be to integrate other functions in future products. Shelves, computers and phones all have a camera that could be used to identify its owner.

"The strategy of" multiple monitors "will continue", provides an employee cash advance no faxing. After the computer and the telephone, television and its contents will be the next land to conquer. All television programs around the world could be available on future Apple-branded TVs, thanks to icloud, the system of cloud computing.As was the case for music, applications, newspapers and books, television programs are distributed by Apple. The company would then play a role of reseller and could strengthen in the business of advertising.

Demanding

The road map is drawn, the organization and working methods are arrested, men of valor are in place, including "designer" Jonathan Ive, and the director of marketing Phil Schiller, who "knows so intimately the competitive products, "said Carolina Milanesi of Gartner. In addition, "Tim Cook is as demanding as Steve," provide the employees of Apple. It has the same attention to detail and perfection "that are hallmarks of the group." But without Apple embodied the soul of Steve Jobs, the group may he continue to impose its laws to the content owners? It is not safe.In addition, the future is not written competitors, especially Google's married to Motorola. These competing strategies could encourage Apple to change the line to follow. The future would become uncertain.

Driving without insurance is costly to the community

October 8, 2011 - 10:07 am Comments Off

Driving without insurance is not a "marginal phenomenon." Between 370,000 and 740,000 vehicles traveling in France are not insured, according to a report submitted to the Bercy Guarantee Fund compulsory insurance (FGAO), which compensates victims of road accidents when the person is not identified or assured. This represents 1-2% of the total circulation. "Signing a contract of insurance is the only approach someone who does not normally allowed to drive can not do," said François Werner, CEO of FGAO. Indeed, it is possible in France to buy and register a car without a permit, or else to borrow the car of a friend.

For several years, the trend is upward. Road Safety has noted, between 1999 and 2009, a 50% increase in the number of uninsured vehicles responsible for fatal accidents."This practice is approximately 78 million euros each year," said Francois Werner. "The burden falls on the insured who finance the fund with a contribution of 1.2% levied on insurance premiums, or about 2 euros per contract."

Device control incompletD'après the report, which aimed to establish a diagnosis on the degradation of Finance Guarantee Fund, 60% of the uninsured are between 18 and 35. Francois Werner are two categories of drivers are driving without insurance. The "sloppy" on the one hand, that knowingly or not missed steps to ensure their car. They have, for example, not paid their premiums or said buying a new vehicle. "The anti-social and dangerous" on the other hand, are those drivers who simply should not drive. These are people who have never had a license or whose license has been removed for serious and recurrent.In 40% of cases, the vehicles are not insured because of non-payment of premium, says the FGAO. Finally, two-wheelers are over-represented (5.1% of uninsured mopeds and motorcycles 3.1%).

"Very few drivers are aware of the risks they face while driving without insurance," says François Werner, pointing to "an almost non-existent awareness" and offers an auto insurance inadequate personal loans for people with bad credit. "Prices remain inaccessible to some audiences," especially young people. Finally, the Director General of FGAO believes that the repression of the phenomenon is "scattered and based on unreliable information." To overcome this weakness, the Guarantee Fund calls for the creation of a "central repository of files provided," he would manage.

This tool, already in place in several European countries, including Spain, Italy and the UK, would be powered by the file registrations (registration cards) and statements of insurance companies and brokers. A huge database which, in the overlapping information, detect uninsured vehicles without waiting for the fraud was discovered during a traffic stop or accident.

A tool "win-win"

This project could still face the fears of motorists on their privacy. The Director General of FGAO therefore emphasizes the fact that this mega-file does not include "any personal data" and would not be "marketable". It is hoped that consultation with stakeholders – insurers, consumer groups and governments – will start soon in order to establish the terms of this file.If this proposal were adopted, it would take about three years to implement.

For François Werner, the device is a win-win. "A 50% decrease in the number of uninsured vehicles could eventually provide the Fund a saving of 40 million euros. Above all, this central repository would be a valuable tool to prevent tragedies road, it would identify some reckless drivers and put them out of harm's way.. "

ALSO READ:

"Insurance: Lagarde wants to facilitate the termination

"Women and men pay their insurance at the same rate

"Auto Insurance: a new a la carte pricing

The PagesJaunes sanctioned by the CNIL

September 22, 2011 - 9:52 pm Comments Off

Red card. CNIL, which met Wednesday, has decided to award a public warning to PagesJaunes that had indexed 25 million profiles gleaned from the web and presented them on their site, under the phone numbers. Le Figaro was able to consult the decision made Thursday to the company. The information posted on social networking sites like Facebook, Buddies before, LinkedIn, Twitter, Trombi were collected without the knowledge of Internet and presented when you typed their name (or near) the PagesBlanches. Was discovered and pictures, names, pseudonyms, schools, employers, occupation and geographic location of a person. The French placed on red list were not spared. While their number was not revealed, but absolutely all other personal information collected on networks were disclosed. The directory included minors in the service of "webcrawler".A public considered particularly sensitive by the CNIL, as often little concerned about protecting his privacy. Those not wishing to appear on the site could oppose it. But a posteriori, by completing a very complicated and attaching a scan of their ID card … had to repeat the process for each of the social networks shown on the page. A procedure considered too complex by the CNIL. And often failed because they have provided all the required documents.

Two complaints last year

In addition, the profiles presented by PagesBlanches were not automatically updated business card. So that those who deserted Facebook saw months later, still exhibited their picture in the online directory …

Two people alerted the CNIL and filed a complaint last year. In June 2010, the Data Protection Commission has carried out inspections.The PagesJaunes had then argued that the collection was lawful. Because users choose to deliver the information on social networks and have the opportunity to limit access to their profiles. If they do not, they accept, in a way that their data public Internet, called the directory.

An argument rejected by the CNIL, which estimates that this information is public course on the Net, but that does not allow "a third party to conduct a massive collection, repetitive and undifferentiated data without informing the persons concerned" . Especially adding the lawyers of the CNIL, the PagesJaunes are not "search engine". These can aggregate data from the Web.Google also displays the Facebook profiles are not protected, that people have not always aware of this exhibition.

After months of training, and although the book has meanwhile suspended the service, the CNIL, which has changed its chairman, has finally decided to punish the PagesJaunes. "Given the sensitivity of the service (…) the number of people involved in the service in question." And also to warn users of the possible fate of their data on the Net.

A trader fraud cost $ 2 billion to UBS

September 15, 2011 - 3:56 pm Comments Off

New Jerome Kerviel is it about to be unmasked? That's the question must be asked on Thursday morning the leaders of UBS. The Swiss bank has in fact announced a fraud due to unauthorized trading operation carried out by one of its traders. The man, of unknown identity but not yet working in the equity markets division in London according to the Swiss newspaper NZZ, has been arrested in the British capital, said the financial police of the city.

In a very brief statement released this morning on its website, the group Zurich estimated the loss caused by fraud 2 billion, or $ 1.46 billion. "Customers' accounts will not be affected," says Officer, explains, however, that the extent of fraud will most likely accounts plunge into the red for the current quarter, the third of its fiscal year.

In late August, the Swiss giant has already announced that its quarterly accounts would be burdened by restructuring charges related to his economic plan of 2 billion Swiss francs (1.8 billion) by 2013. At that time, management had considered these exceptional charges of 550 million Swiss francs (456 million). With two billion dollars of potential losses announced this jeudimatin, so the bank could announce a major deficit. In the second quarter, UBS had announced a net profit group share of 1, 01 billion Swiss francs (840 million euros).

An image more tarnished

The precise cost of such fraud is still unclear but the bank should give more details on the occasion of the publication of accounts for the third quarter, scheduled for 25 October.Although the amount of fraud is still well below the losses caused by Jerome Kerviel, the former trader the most notorious of the Societe Generale (4.9 billion euros of losses also unauthorized operations) . However, this new financial scandal should put on the front of the stage vulnerabilities of control systems of banks, on policy positions of its brokers.

Furthermore, this case should a little dent the image of the Swiss bank. In 2008, she was among the banks most exposed to subprime. In total, in 2007 and 2008, UBS had thus unveiled record losses related to its exposure to toxic assets: 5.24 billion and 19.7 billion francs (4.35 and 16.37 billion euros).Today, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) even accused of having sold $ 4.5 billion of toxic assets to mortgage refinancing agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and is seeking in return for $ 900 million . Finally, the Swiss bank is also under investigation in France on suspicion of using tax evasion.

Thursday morning, UBS did not give details on the progress of investigations for fraud, saying only that an investigation is underway. Meanwhile, the shareholders of the Swiss bank would have gone well for such a scandal, in a stock market already adverse to bank stocks.At the Zurich Stock Exchange, UBS clinched the title by more than 7% on Thursday, at 10.24 Swiss francs (8.51 euros), with 45% lower as its highest since Feb. 18 annual.

ALSO READ:

"Switzerland is in a dilemma facing its banks

"The Swiss UBS attracts new capital

Libya: oil well soon able

August 31, 2011 - 4:44 am Comments Off

• oil wells in a state "in the coming days"

Oil may be back soon in Libya. The country should rehabilitate wells "in the coming days," announced the new oil minister, Ali Tarhouni, at a press conference in Tripoli. "The situation will not return immediately to normal, but almost," he added.

In Geneva, the World Food Programme (WFP) has launched a tender to supply 250,000 tons of gasoline provisional Libyan authorities to deal with the most urgent needs of the population after six months of civil war .

• Libya buys French wheat with frozen assets

The interim government in power in Libya has signed two contracts for the purchase of French wheat with assets released this month by France, according to sources close to the negotiations.The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs French announced in early August its intention to release $ 259 million to make available to the National Transition Council to rebuild the country after six months of civil war.

Each contract weighs at least 22 million to about 60,000 tonnes of wheat, a senior leader of the French grain trader Bellows, who signed one of the two contracts.

• A four-day ultimatum issued to supporters of Gaddafi

The rebel leader Libyan Tuesday sent an ultimatum expires Saturday supporters of Muammar Gaddafi in the last strongholds of the regime that they surrender, otherwise they would face military operations my credit score.

The head of the National Transitional Council (CNT), Abdeljalil Moustapha said that negotiations were underway with officials of those cities to try to secure their surrender without a fight. "This window of opportunity will expire at the end of the Eid al-Fitr. From Saturday, if a peaceful outcome is still not to the field, we can make a difference militarily, "said Abdeljalil. The launch of the final battle in Libya is "imminent", said the military spokesman of the rebellion Bani Omar Ahmed Benghazi in the east.

• Quiet on the front of Sirte, NATO continues its mission

The situation was calm on Tuesday morning on the front east of Sirte, Gaddafi's stronghold in central Libya. The rebels have increased by about ten kilometers and are line was about 40 km west of Ben Jawad beyond the hamlet of UMR Gandil.

Sirte Sunday has been caught between rebel forces, backed by NATO air strikes. The Atlantic alliance has reiterated its support Tuesday morning the insurgents, saying that his mission would continue "as long as the threat persists."