Archive for February, 2012

Ikea would have spied on its employees and customers

February 29, 2012 - 3:08 pm Comments Off

 

Ikea home would be particularly well guarded! The furniture manufacturer has indeed established a spy system to know all of its employees but also customers, reports the Chained Duck. The French subsidiary of the Swedish group would have indeed been to monetize files of the National Police through International Private Enterprise Security specializes in security.

The satirical newspaper reproduced a series of explicit emails between the Director of Risk Management Ikea France, Jean-Francois Paris, and leaders of companies specializing in the collection of private data. One of these letters entitled "Subject: SITIC agreement" proves that the Swedish group has obtained sensitive information and theoretically reserved for the national police. In fact, the Stic is a file held by the police that gathers information on all individuals involved in an offense (the alleged perpetrators and victims) and stopped by the police. However, the CNIL has seriously challenged the credibility of this information. But no matter, the company did not hesitate to purchase this file in exchange for remuneration comfortable. On the issue of private company: "What you propose of more and better than 80 euros per consultation equivalent to those of ICST? I wish you a happy Christmas, "the risk manager at Ikea responded to a scathing" Sold! ".

Union representatives have claims

The exchange also demonstrates that Ikea France has regularly asked the security company very precise information on its employees or customers. Thus, Ikea has asked pharmacies Security: "No one in the store hires Paris Nord. Thank you for his locker. " Another application of the group: "His speech is anti-globalization and methods' old guard CGT" (covers his ears and keep repeating the same thing about his achievements) fast cash. Unionism? Profile is not too far from his lady. Various proselytizing? ATAC or other? Risk of eco-terrorist threat? ". The group also sought to take note of vehicle registration, driver's license, or the mobile operators. Customers were not spared by these unscrupulous practices of espionage. The group has investigated its customers including commercial litigation cases.

And employees have to defend well. Yassine Yakouti lawyers and Sofiane Hakiki will defend the interests of union representatives who have claims. The microphone of France info, including Yassin Yakouti emphasizes that it is "a unique case in France." The question is how society Sureté International was able to obtain the secret files of the police.

Only certainty, the information could harm the reputation of the furniture giant that boasts its management ethics. The model has however been shaken repeatedly. Latest event this summer employee of a store located in Virginia, United States, denounced a "dignified management of plantations." And after the publication in 2010 of a book on the shock group, which denounced the methods of management but also put under surveillande these employees, the new French case might still make waves.  

ALSO READ:

"YOUR REACTION -" It really seems to be a communication problem at Ikea "

"Ikea: employees mobilized for their wages

"Ikea: the direction stick to his guns

Candidates at the bedside of industrial sites

February 28, 2012 - 4:08 am Comments Off

 

No wonder that the backup industry has become an issue in the presidential Since 2001, the manufacturing sector has lost over 800,000 jobs in France. Each week brings a lot of sites in need. After the textile factory Lejaby and module manufacturer Photowatt, it is the turn of the steel plant of ArcelorMittal Florange in Lorraine, put to sleep by the judgment of its two blast furnaces, to generate the anxiety … and the attention of politicians.

Francois Hollande visited Florange Friday. There promised legislation that would prevent a company wanting to emerge from a French site to block a takeover by a buyer. Filed Monday in Parliament, this bill has no chance of being passed before the elections. But its content must be dated. In detail, the text is not so coercive as that. "If there is no buyer, we will force the company not wanting to close the plant to find one," said Alain Rousset, President of PS Aquitaine and responsible for industrial matters within the Holland team.

Defensive tool

"By cons, if buyers are presented, the company can no longer refuse to cede the factory, as sometimes happens now. This is the commercial court which will then choose the buyer, "added the official, who sees the device as a defensive tool against abusive practices by companies not wanting to deliver profitable customers or technology to a potential buyer competing .

On the other side of the political spectrum, we do not share this vision. "The logic of this bill is a logical administered economy that always leads to impoverishment," Francois Fillon on Monday denounced the Salon de l'Agriculture. RTL, Nicolas Sarkozy said he preferred to act through the Strategic Investment Fund (ISF), the armed wing of the State acquires a stake in companies. "It makes sense, is to invest," said the president-nominee. Nevertheless, in the case of ArcelorMittal, the use ISP has nothing obvious, the group being held to 40.8% by the Mittal family. Similarly, the government can push, as reaffirmed by Nicolas Sarkozy, the direction to invest in the blast furnace restarts in the second half. But this is ArcelorMittal, as a private company, which will decide whether to invest, based on economic criteria.

The state could in fact intervene through Ulcos European project, focused on CO2 reductions. Through this project, a new blast furnace could be built to high performance Florange. Last autumn, the French government is committed to provide 150 million euros to this program. Commitment that Nicolas Sarkozy confirmed on RTL. Still, it must also get the green light from Brussels. The European Commission must give its opinion in October 2012. Francois Hollande had gone to discuss the subject in Brussels last November. Nicolas Sarkozy has promised to speak at the European summit later this week. But again, the project will not succeed if it is not economically viable

.

ALSO READ:

"Industrial Employment: when the government gets involved

"Holland is committed to employees face Florange

"Xavier Bertrand warns PSA on employment

At the meeting, food costs more in the mainland

February 26, 2012 - 2:56 am Comments Off

 

After Guadeloupe and Mayotte, it is the turn of the meeting to fight against high prices. If measures to lower gasoline prices and basic commodities were announced, anger persists. According to figures from INSEE, in 2010, prices were more expensive by 12.4% in Réunion in the mainland. A difference that amounts to 14 saving account payday loan.8% in Guadeloupe, and 16.9% for Martinique. In Guyana, where the price differential is highest, this amounts to paying twice the tax: a basket of goods (including rent) money is 19.6% higher than in metropolitan France.

Investigation of spatial comparison, INSEE.

Go Sport seeks to Why to 30 million

February 24, 2012 - 7:48 am Comments Off

 

Record! Go Sport last year recorded the largest net loss in its history. At 20 million, the third largest sportswear in France is worse than in 2008, when he posted 15.9 million euros loss. Since 2004, Go Sport, owned 72.9% by Rally, has accumulated losses of 73.6 million. The group experienced only a year in profits (12.9 million in 2007), with a gain of 23.1 million euros on the sale of the store premises.

Despite these cons-performance rehearsal, Rally is also a shareholder qu'endurant persevering. The company controlled by Jean-Charles Naouri, also main shareholder of Casino, has decided to guarantee a capital increase of EUR 30 million for group Go Sport, scheduled for the second quarter.

"It is a sign of confidence and support of our principal shareholder, welcomes François Neukirch, group managing director, who also holds the Courir. This will allow us to strengthen our financial structure and to give ourselves margin for maneuver? THEREFOR. "

2011 was a bad year for Go Sport, who missed both the January sales, the summer season and the winter, "because of unfavorable weather conditions," says François Neukirch. During these periods, sales of Go Sport France fell by 10%. Over the full year, those seasonal items (skis, anoraks, bathing suits?), Higher margin, plunged by more than 30% Same day payday loans.

Good start to the year 2012

"It is a paradoxical year, said François Neukirch, because we also had great commercial success. Footwear sales rose 5%, and those of non-seasonal fabrics of 3%. "Above all, the new store concepts and Go Sport Racing give satisfaction to its leaders. Part, the amount of which is kept secret, the 30 million euros raised on the stock market is also devoted to home improvement stores.

The group's leaders want to believe that the disappointments of last year are due only to the injustice of climate, and do not intend to change strategy. They stress that since January, sales of Go Sport show a double-digit growth, as if the weather was trying to redeem himself?

Asked about the prospects of return to equilibrium, François Neukirch stated that "the sooner the better." A view shared by patients shareholders. Darty, which owns 12.1% stake in the group, will announce its decision whether to participate in the capital increase on the occasion of the General Meeting of April 20.

ALSO READ:

"Intersport BetClick replaced as sponsor of the OM

"Decathlon difficulties in recruiting senior

Air Méditerranée relocates in Greece

February 23, 2012 - 2:12 am Comments Off

 

In a few days, the management of Air Méditerranée know the number of candidates to voluntary redundancy scheme and the number of those who wish to be reclassified from Hermes Airlines, a Greek subsidiary conveniently created in August 2011 by Anthony Ferretti, the president and largest shareholder Air Méditerranée.

The new company proposes to take Greek pilots and stewardesses its parent, provided they opt for a Greek status and pay accordingly – lower by at least 30% to those in force in France.

Affected by the Arab Spring

Outwardly, nothing appears. The three aircraft in the fleet of Hermes Airlines registered in Greece wear the shoe Air Méditerranée. Flights operated by these aircraft are also consistent with those made by the parent. Hermes is it then a ghost airline intended to lower costs to manage the activities of its parent company in trouble? "It's ten years as the president of Air Mediterranean dream to relocate, says a captain of the company. At first he did not dare use the word. Today, it frightens him more. He says it is for our good and it will help revive the company's business. "

Mediterranean air, which mainly works with tour operators and individuals by selling low-cost flights on the Internet, has been hard hit by the crisis Tunisian and Egyptian. In 2011, it achieved a turnover of 220 million euros and would have recorded a small loss.

Unions, convinced that the "relocation" was illegal, responded: "We met with leaders of the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on numerous occasions, said Denis Roumier, the SNPL. But they told us that there was nothing illegal in this montage. Nothing prevents an employer to operate equipment by registering in another country. ". Hermes Airlines has recruited crew members from different nationalities in Greek status to ensure the flights of the three devices with operating licenses Greek.

The salary of a hostess who received 1200 euros net per month in France rose to 900 euros in Greek status. That of a captain of 5000 euros to 3700 euros a copilot from 3500 to 2600 euros.

By summer, the Greek subsidiary should operate six aircraft, as declared by the president of Air Mediterranean in council.

Faced with this "misuse" of their flights, the 450 employees of Air Mediterranean – including 85 in CDI will leave the company under the plan to safeguard employment – wrote an open letter to President: "In the process things are going, we expect, if nothing is done, not only to pursue the relocation of six ten but had to start our whole fleet, the disappearance of our company and, worse , that the method is spreading to other French airlines … "

ALSO READ:

"Soon, one pilot on the plane

"Ryanair threatens to leave Marseille

The crisis in the eurozone will cost over 50 billion euros to France

February 22, 2012 - 1:08 am Comments Off

 

Gone is the political consensus that prevailed in France last year about the need to save Greece. Tuesday, the Socialist deputies abstained on two bills used to be validated by France on European Stability Mechanism (SPM). And Socialist senators will do the same next week. With 500 billion euros, MES must nevertheless serve from July, firewall Standing against the sovereign debt crisis in the euro area.

Socialists do not disagree that the SS as the budgetary stability pact European carrier with greater discipline on public accounts. And they consider that the MES and form a pact. This treaty "as it stands today does not provide strong commitment to growth," said Tuesday, Jean-Marc Ayrault, president of the PS group in the Assembly. A position in line with that of Francois Hollande, who wants to renegotiate the December European, to add a section on growth.

Heavier debt

"The refusal of the Socialists to vote MES is a serious fault which shows their bigotry," retorted Tuesday, Francois Fillon before the UMP group. Anyway, the MES should be approved by France, the Assembly, dominated by the UMP, having the last word on a left-wing majority in the Senate.

The MES is the latest tools devised to solve the debt crisis. It will function as the EFSF (European Financial Stability Fund), it will eventually replace: it will borrow in the markets and then help the troubled country. These are the European countries which will mean the MES in equity, to 80 billion euros. France will contribute 16.3 billion by 2017, including 6.5 billion this year. This will weigh down all our debt, which has already reached 1.7 trillion. And this bill is not isolated.

As part of the first aid to Greece decided in spring 2010, France has already lent directly to the country 11.3 billion on a commitment of 16.8 billion euros. Public debt has been weighed down by 11.3 billion.

France will contribute more importantly, valued at 23.4 billion euros, the second Greek rescue plan which should amount to 107 billion euros for euro area Member States. The hex will help the European Financial Stability Fund, which lends to States in difficulties with the guarantee of the Member States. Its borrowings weigh down the public debt. Because of all the commitments of EFSF on Portugal, Ireland and Greece, the French public debt should be weighed down by 38.5 billion. So that the total bill for France's aid to European countries in difficulty should go well beyond 50 billion!

ALSO READ:

"Greece: Europe is finalizing a plan to more than 350 billion

Berlin opens the way for Plan aid to Greece

February 20, 2012 - 8:32 am Comments Off

 

Wolfgang Schäuble has opened the way for the adoption, on Monday, a second plan with the European Union and the International Monetary Fund, amounting to 130 billion euros. But it is not private to lecture on the Greek government, while ensuring the Greek people of his compassion for the conservation measures that strike.

According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, the idea of ​​establishing an escrow account for the interest payments on Greek debt, which was the German Government, should be held tonight in Brussels by the finance ministers of the euro area. Unlike that of a commissioner to oversee the implementation of rigor, to which Germany has given up against the outcry. However, in an internal report, the German Ministry of Economy casts a very negative effect on the progress of reforms in Greece and openly doubt it will be able to avoid bankruptcy. This will certainly complicate the ratification of the new aid plan by the Bundestag, scheduled for February 27.

Critical or pessimistic statements of German officials on the situation of the country have moved the Greeks and sharpened their sense of being imposed a European tutelage. Greek President Karolos Papoulias has himself condemned what he thought of "teasing" the German finance minister's struggle to stay in Athens for the euro area no fax payday loans.

"In front of aid, there is always someone who wants to get help, found Wolfgang Schäuble. We remain available for some time to help the Ministry of Finance officials to build a Greek tax system efficient. So far the offer has not been entered. "

"Compassion"

The German minister, who had been strongly criticized in Athens after claiming he had "serious doubts" about the validity of elections in April in Greece, he assured "sympathize" with the Greeks. "The vast majority of those affected by the reforms and austerity measures – and let me express once more my great respect for them – are nothing to do with the slow pace of reforms, the loss of competitiveness or inefficient use of budgets in the past, "he says.

And remember that the Greek minimum wage will be at the future "at about the same level as in Spain."

ALSO READ:

"Greece: relieved markets, Europe remains wary

"Greece: Merkel and Sarkozy put pressure

"The Eurogroup does not exclude a failure of Greece in March

Organic products continue to gain ground

February 19, 2012 - 12:36 am Comments Off

 

Organic products seem immunized against the crisis. Last year, sales were nearly $ 4 billion euros, an increase of at least 10%, as estimated by the Bio Agency. A sacred performance. Over the same period, sales of consumer products (food and hygiene products) have indeed stagnated in volume, and increased by only 3% in value.

Despite prices 20% to 50% higher, organic products, which represent less than 2% of the food market, continue to attract consumers. However, they are less likely to try the bio. In 2011, 40% of French reported consuming at least once a month for organic products, when they were 43% in 2010 and 46% in 2009, according to a survey by the CSA institute. "In a crisis, the curiosity of consumers is less, recognizes Elizabeth Mercier, Director of the Agency Bio. But market growth in 2008, the year of crisis, was 25% and 19% by volume. " In contrast, 18% of those who consume at least one organic product a week they intend to increase their intake this year. "This allows us to expect a further growth of organic products in 2012," said Elisabeth Mercier.

More visibility on the shelf

"The potential of new consumer stays there, half the French having no problem purchasing power," said Didier Perreol, group president Ekibio (Priméal, Bisson, My life without gluten?), Which states that Organic consumers are mostly from the wealthier classes.

"The market continues to grow as a supply effect contributes mechanically to increased purchases," says Isabelle Senand, author of a study on the bio for Xerfi. This is the result of the number of openings specialized brands (Naturalia Biocoop, La Vie Claire?), Pioneer of organic and enlargement of the assortment in supermarkets and hypermarkets. Today, 10% of milk sales are conducted in organic section, over 15% of sales? Eggs but only 6% of sales of fruits and vegetables. Last year, innovations in the organic section have increased among the national brands, ham Fleury Michon Pom'Potes Materne to Mont Blanc.

"The distributors have established themselves in this market with their brands and national brands, explains Isabelle Senand. All signs now have their own organic brand, which is largely the democratization of the market. "

The price gap has in fact reduced in grocery, fruit and vegetables or dairy products. "In five years, our prices are down 15% due to higher volumes, which allowed us to increase productivity," says Daniel Tirat, CEO of two cows, the brand of organic yogurt from Danone, the second mark market.

In three years, the market for organic fresh dairy products has doubled to 100 million euros. "We are in a logical recruitment of consumers, two thirds of our buyers who have never eaten organic yogurt, adds Daniel Tirat, which will test next month at Monoprix sales of butter and cream The two cows. We need the bio is even more visible rays. "

ALSO READ:

"Naturalia extends its network of stores in the province

U.S.: Congress renewed its tax breaks

February 17, 2012 - 7:56 am Comments Off

 

Determined to help the growth, in this election year, Republicans abandoned their zeal for deficit reduction. While the campaign for parliamentary and presidential undertakes November, Republican leaders of the House of Representatives agreed to a compromise that will cost nearly $ 100 billion budget for the current year.

This is extended through December of reductions in social charges weighing chiefly on wages. Some 160 million Americans benefit from this gift, supposed to boost consumption and sustain growth to be too fragile by Barack Obama. The average American will have 80 dollars a month more.

Rise of Barack Obama in the polls

Since December the right wing of the Republican Party, very influential in the House, tried to package this as looking for savings of an equivalent amount elsewhere in the budget.

The Republican retreat is the rise of Barack Obama in the polls thanks to recent signs of improvement in the labor market. He campaigned on the urgency of reducing taxes on the middle classes, while wishing to increase taxes on the rich. Maintaining a budget deficit greater than 8% of GDP this year, and about 5.5% of GDP next year, do not seem to scare the Americans, or on Wall Street, which is found even at its highest in seven months.

Unemployment benefits reduced

The compromise that should be passed by Congress this week also provides a progressive shortening of the maximum period during which the unemployed can receive benefits. It will increase from 99 weeks to 73 weeks now by the end of the year.

The Republicans would rather reduce the period to 59 weeks. In yielding on this point, they got the cost of this measure is funded in part by an increase in pension contributions for federal employees. In addition, the Republicans give up a projected savings in health spending.

The electoral climate that prevails in Washington is so tense that it is likely that once the tax package passed no important legislation can not move forward until December. It was at that time, and after that we know of who emerges victorious in November elections, as important decisions will be taken to respect the timetable set last year in budget savings.

ALSO READ:

"The rebound in U.S. growth remains fragile

»December 2011: tax cuts in the U.S.

BNP Paribas: 6 billion profit despite the crisis of the euro

February 15, 2012 - 4:08 pm Comments Off

 

BNP Paribas has limited the damage last year. Despite the crisis of the euro, which hit the banking sector especially during the second half of the year, the French group reached 6 billion euros in profit in 2011, down only 22.9%. It's better than expected by the market.

This figure covers two very contrasting. On the one hand, the retail place performance. Over the full year, this activity reached 5.9 billion euros'' profit before tax, of which nearly $ 2 billion in France (12%). the fourth quarter alone. Networks alone will clear almost all of the taxable profit of the group: 1.2 billion on 1.3 billion.

On the other hand, the sovereign debt crisis weighed heavily on the bank. A pressure that is exerted on the first banking business and investment banking. The division will have realized that 6 million profit last quarter, although this remains more than adequate compared to the losses recorded by many major European banks that have already published their accounts.

Especially, BNP Paribas will found in 2011 more than 4 billion euros in losses on its portfolio of European government debt: $ 3.2 billion on Greece, whose value was reduced by 75% in the perspective plan restructuring being finalized at the European level, plus 872 million of realized losses on the sale of government securities. Since the summer, BNP Paribas has significantly reduced its exposure to sovereign debt. She also collected 148 million of losses on loans it has sold to lighten its balance sheet.

With 6 billion profit in 2011, BNP Paribas is expected to maintain its lead over its competitors. Credit Agricole SA announced in December that he would complete the year in the red after a cleaning operation of its balance sheets. Societe Generale – which will publish its Thursday tomorrow – has warned it would not distribute any dividend.

In this regard, BNP Paribas says it will affect a quarter of its distributable income to the payment of a dividend payable in cash or shares. The bank says in effect have already exceeded the target of 9% capital adequacy set by the authorities in the whole industry in Europe.

ALSO READ:

"Banks soldent invoice Greek

"Banks: the austerity measures did not result in large market