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Pensions: unions still oppose the reform

J-1. That Tuesday morning Eric Woerth will present his Cabinet bill on pension reform. This text provides for the postponement by 2018 the legal age of retirement at age 62 (as against 60 now) and increase by 2020 the contribution period for a full pension at 41 5 installments. It also proposes to raise over 10 years to 10.55% of gross salary pension contribution rate of employees.Meanwhile, the government plans to introduce draft consideration – unprecedented – the strain at work to enable employees who have had a difficult career to continue to retire at age 60 but also extend the system "long careers "which allows people who started working early to liquidate their retirement before age 60.

"Unjust and unacceptable"

Trade unions, traditionally opposed the reforms they consider "unfair and unacceptable" because it would further inequalities have already planned to protest during the presentation of the Council of Ministers."The proposed reform does not respond to questions of employment, particularly youth and seniors, or the reversal of gender inequalities, or to the recognition of the hardship … It refers to the uncertainty of future generations sustainability of pension secured by the division, they were justified in a statement.They also criticized the closure of financial reform that puts "more than 85% of efforts" to employees only and require "a different distribution of wealth produced, particularly through higher taxes than expected capital income and senior income 100% free credit report.

Eric Woerth's proposal to improve the bill at the time of the examination to the National Assembly from September 7 on three aspects of the text (strain at work, and long careers polypensionnés) has yet not had the desired effect. Even the beginnings of a better consideration of the prevention of the hardship brought up by the entourage of the Minister of Labour at a meeting with labor, has left them unmoved. "We want a broader discussion, said Friday Eric Aubin, the negotiator of the CGT, after an interview Rue de Grenelle.The position of the government that it seeks to show a continued dialogue. But we ride seriously and it confirms our intention to build a strong mobilization on September 7. "

On this day, the unions have scheduled a new day of strikes and unit mobilization, hoping to do better than June 24 when 800 000 people (and by 1.9 million CGT) had beaten the streets across France to protest against the postponement of 60 years. And thus weigh more on debates in Parliament. They do not despair, no longer convinced by that number of MPs to amend by Social Affairs Committee – where the text will be examined from July 20 to 22 – the bill. The CFDT has also planned to "harass" the summer MPs in their constituency.Act II of the 2010 pension reform does so may just be beginning.

"SPECIAL – The challenges of pension reform

The OECD approves the plans rigor French, German and British

What do you think of austerity plans adopted in France, Great Britain and Germany? Are they sufficient?

Targets chosen are appropriate. When started in 2011, for the most part, they reflect the forecast growth will remain weak in coming months. The credibility of the measures announced will have a positive impact on the economy over the medium term. It will also look favorably on the interest rate will be long term downward trend and therefore promote growth.

These plans are they in line with OECD recommendations?

Overall, yes. In all three countries, governments have chosen to cut public spending to reduce deficits, which is a good thing.The experience of OECD countries shows that fiscal consolidation based on expenditure reduction is generally more efficient and more sustainable than those based on a tax increase. Yes, we need to use the weapon of taxation, but if it has a limited impact on growth. In this case, we must emphasize the taxes related to climate change – CO2 tax – or indirect taxes on consumption – VAT – the property rather than income households or businesses.

In Britain, the specific measures such as increases in VAT or tax on capital gains in the right direction.

In France, the pension reform is essential, we must reverse the age of retirement at least 62 years because many European countries are already beyond this level.It is also important to address the budgetary rules to strengthen the credibility, setting goals of stabilization. As has just done in Germany out in the Constitution a ceiling for public debt by 2016 paydayloan.

The OECD has launched Wednesday a new warning on unemployment will remain high and the risk of falling into structural unemployment. What do you think, in this context, cuts aid to employment, in particular France and Germany?

Our position is that we must change the orientation of employment policies, by investing more in the long term. Countries should abandon the measures adopted early in the crisis to keep costs the employees in their jobs, promoting the reduction of working hours to avoid layoffs.Policies should be more targeted for career change into areas more vibrant and productive. This requires investment in training, education, innovation.

Yet France removes 16,000 teaching posts …

It may be more effective in education. But it is clear that there is not enough money to do everything! Times are difficult and involve choices. Must be cut, reduce deficits and debt while stimulating growth, promoting employment and education. This must remain a priority.

Is there a risk of falling into recession?

We maintain our forecast last month. The recovery will continue at different speeds, slower in Europe than elsewhere, but we see no risk of double dip recession.The real issue in the medium term is to find a good balance between sustainability of public finances and economic growth.

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Agreement between the EU, the IMF and Greece on an aid plan

Considered "strong" and "credible" by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, the program of multi-year budget cuts proposed by Greece to return to high deficits and debt decent justifies the activation of the aid plan finances by the European Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou said on Sunday a new "sacrifices" that meet the requirements of the IMF and the EU, adding that the new austerity measures against officials and retirees of public sector salaries and save private sector.

A deficit below 3% in 2014

"We are all called to make a choice. The choice is between the collapse or a program of structural change.The government has decided to save the country ", said Sunday the Minister of Finance, George Papaconstantinou.

Save the country, European language, is to establish an austerity plan that allows the return of a budget deficit below 3% of GDP, the ceiling required by the Maastricht Treaty to cement his place in the EU.

Thus the Minister of Finance has proposed to launch an "economic agenda that includes efforts to reduce the budget deficit of 11 percentage points of GDP or 30 billion euros – more than 4.8 billion already announced for 2010 – from today and the next three years "for a return under the famous European threshold by 2014.According to estimates by the Greek government, the deficit would be 8.1% this year, 7.6% in 2011, 6.5% in 2012, 4.9% in 2013 and finally 2.6% in 2014.

From his side, public debt is expected at 133.3% of GDP this year and should continue to rise, up 149.1% in 2013, before beginning to recede in 2014, 144.3%.

Drastic measures

Among the main measures announced included a wage freeze and the removal of 13th and 14th month salary in the public service. There will, however, no change in private sector wages.

The minimum age for retirement is 60 years. Public investment will be reduced and a fund to help the banking system will be implemented.

Starting in 2010, is also provided a further increase of one to two points of the VAT (value added tax, which is already 21%, France is at 19.6%) fast cash advance loan.

A financial assistance plan to ensure the stability of the euro area

Ending speculation and ensure the stability of the euro area. These are the priorities for a Europe troubled for several weeks by the threat of bankruptcy of one of its members.

While rates have long known Greek fevers to worry about the financial world right, and that the euro has depreciated at a rate fears about the ability of Greece to declare bankruptcy, the very viability of the model European Union has been threatened. Political tensions between the heads of state of member countries have revived the debate on Europe in a failure of coordination.

The amount of funding to be given jointly by the EU and the IMF has not yet been revealed, but it will be "unprecedented in the world. The French Minister of Economy Christine Lagarde on Saturday evoked total amount of support within the range suggested by the IMF and the European Commission between "100 and 120 billion euros". She said it was "a plan over three years, the current year, 2011 and 2012." According to analysts at Natixis, the country would need 130 billion euros over three years.

In any case, Greece might blow. The country will repay its term of almost nine billion euros to be repaid on May 19 next.

Never again

Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel intend to take "initiatives in the coming days" for Europe to strengthen monitoring mechanisms within the euro area, expedite its work on the fight against speculation and improving the transparency of products derivatives and make further proposals on the regulation of rating agencies.

For these rating agencies, Banier Michel European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, expressed support on Friday to create such an entity in Europe that would complement three existing credit rating agencies, all U.S., Standard & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch.

"SPECIAL CASE – Greece, a challenge for Europe

Green remains at the Paris Bourse

The green still dominates the Paris Bourse. Comforted by the end of the Japanese Nikkei up on Monday, the CAC 40 continues its momentum on Friday with an opening up of 0.69% to 4078.38 points. Last week, Paris had the key index closed up almost 2%, surpassing the 4000 points to 4050 points.

Investors are reassured by the Parisian rescue plan with Greek details, as expected, were finally unveiled this weekend. The European system, operational since Sunday, includes up to 30 billion euros in loan agreements with joint assistance from the IMF. The news caused at least boosted the euro. In morning trading, the euro is worth 1.3675 dollars, up 0.12% against the greenback.

Elsewhere in Europe, same atmosphere. The London Stock Exchange opened up 0.50% to 5799.95 points.For its part, the DAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange opened up 0.54% to 6283.81 points.

On the face of macroeconomic indicators, no news likely to react to the markets is expected. Important data such as current accounts or French industrial production in the euro area, will in the coming days.

However, the quarterly publications begin Monday in France and the United States. Intel, Google, Bank of America, or General Electric are expected across the Atlantic this week. The monitor Alcoa France or Atos Origin cash advance.

The bank form

The reaction of the banking sector support plan in Greek has not made wait. The bank had suffered last week, suffering from the fears of too much involvement in the problems of sovereign debt in Europe.Credit Agricole, Societe Generale and BNP Paribas were down. On Monday, they found the strength with respective increases of 1.05% (13.43 euros), 1.59% (46.62 euros) and 1.57% (57.64 euros).

In an interview with the Journal du Dimanche, the chief executive of Publicis (-0.05% to 31.38 euros) said this weekend that the advertising investment is not expected to regain its 2008 levels by 2012.The latter also expressed readiness to re-evaluate its offer for the advertising of France Televisions, if the advertising was finally upheld.

France Telecom (stable at 17.56 euros) is being difficult in Egypt, where a court on Saturday confirmed its decision to block the bid from France Telecom on the minority of ECMS, the first mobile operator in terms of number subscribers.

According to sources close to the deal, EADS (+0.20% at 14.93 euros) will announce its position on a possible bid for the tender for the supply of tanker aircraft to the army of U.S. Air.

Alcoa (who finished the session at -3.23% on Friday) published the figures in its first quarter after market close in New York.

Greece: the market is testing the patience of Europe

Greek interest rates continue to climb. They achieve this Thursday morning the world record to 7.49% on bonds with 10 years more distant than ever from the benchmark, the German Bund. The rates at 2-year yields have exceeded long, touching 7.80%, suggesting the market concerns over the short term. The news from Athens did not contribute to calm markets, while the Board of Governors of the European Central Bank (ECB) was to meet Thursday.

The cost of insurance on compulsory Greek (CDS, credit default swaps ") also jumped Thursday morning, also reaching record levels at more than 470 basis points, the credit information specialist CMA News. "The market moves very quickly," says Markit News on Twitter.

Greece is still contineur to borrow, said Thursday morning the Greek Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou before Parliament.

Contamination

"The Greek problem begins to contaminate other peripheral markets such as Spain and Portugal, where the rates differ from the Bund," says Patrick Jacq, a strategist at BNP Paribas rate, which emphasizes that the volumes traded bonds Greek since Thursday morning are very low. "As regards Greece, the current movements are not yet dramatic macroeconomic consequence.Athens has enough to cope with higher current levels, which represent, in the case of bond issuance, an additional cost after all low in comparison to 10 billion euros to be in the coming weeks. "

After rumors of Greek opposition to the conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in case of intervention, the Greek banks are finding themselves the center of attention. The Financial Times reports that in a recent face withdrawals totaling 10 billion euros since the beginning of the year. It does not take more than some analysts to fear a flight of capital.

Testing the limits

But the sudden movement on the debt market would also be Greek, or even primarily, due to investors forced to sell the Greek titles of their portfolio because of excessive volatility.Investors also want to test the rescue plan put together by the European Union, and know from what level of rates will be raised.

This is a matter of weeks, said Laurent Bilke, Europe economist at Nomura. He said the level of rates and especially the volatility in the market make it impossible to bond issue in the short term. Nothing, however, should occur before the regional elections in Germany in Westphalia on May 9, given the opposition of the public to any plan for Greece.

In this tense context, the ECB president, Jean-Claude Trichet, should be questioned about the crisis in Greek at the monthly press conference on Thursday."He should face questions on media reports that the ECB considers to be both too vague in terms of European aid and inappropriate intervention by the IMF," say economists at Societe Generale in a note.

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"SPECIAL CASE – Greece, a challenge for Europe

Unions in the street

The mobilization will she go in this Tuesday, two days in a large loss of the right in regional elections? Six unions (CFDT, CGT, FOR, FSU, UNSA, Solidaires) called on employees of public and private to a national day of action aimed at influencing government policy on political and social. If it comes shortly after the regional elections, the appointment union had however taken immediately after the Social Summit in February, meeting at the initiative of the Head of State to discuss, among other things, the upcoming construction of the reform pensions.

Tuesday afternoon, thousands of demonstrators began to march throughout France. If the number of participants were not recorded in Paris, 10,000 people marched in Nantes by the CGT, the police still had no figures available. They were at Le Mans 7000, according to police, 2000 in Vannes, according to unions.In Rennes, the mobilization seemed weaker. Also according to police, Lyon accounted as 10,000 demonstrators, Grenoble 5000, and Saint-Etienne 4400.

The strike of civil servants was also relatively followed in mid-day. The department estimated that 21% the proportion of striking teachers, estimated at 40% for the SNES-FSU, a rate higher than the previous mobilizations. 11.45% of the postal employees were also mobilized by the leadership. At the station, the strike rate was estimated at 28% by management, and 32% by the CGT. At RATP, it would amount to 14% depending on the direction, the CGT-RATP not yet have figures to communicate.

Pension reform crystallized discontent

Two main points today crystallize opposition from unions, following a government reshuffle.

• Pensions: major point of contention between the unions and the government, the pension reform was launched at the Social Summit in February. While the dialogue should begin early April, several union leaders have spoken about this on Tuesday, sending a warning to the government. The CFDT leader Francois Ch?r?que has called for a reform that reduces inequality. "Of course we must change our pension system, but it does not evolve towards greater social justice, this is again a loss of confidence in politics" best payday advance !!!???!!!?? ?!!!. Therefore, it could "be the sport at a social level," he warns.Jean-Claude Mailly, secretary general of FP, for his part reiterated on Tuesday his commitment to the LCI retirement at age 60, holding "absurd" the solution of longer working hours to alleviate the funding problems induced by the lengthening of life expectancy. "If we follow this logic, women live longer should work longer," he argued. As for Bernard Thibault, leader of the CGT, he believes "we can not impose reform on accounting criteria exclusively, also challenging the objectivity of the Advisory Committee of pensions. "This appointment will be very difficult to carry," he predicted. Probably heard a speech by the new Labor Minister, Eric Woerth, who insisted on Tuesday on the need to "protect" the current system "an equitable reform.

• Employment: while the unemployment rate back above the 10% in the fourth quarter of 2009, the CFDT called for taking further steps to assist employees affected by the crisis. Pleading for an appeal to partial unemployment, training rather than dismissal, the leader of the CFDT has also called for financial support purchasing power and resources center for sustainable employment. The employees "have the feeling that we no longer speak of their real situation since September. An impression they would have in his Sunday expressed through the ballot box. The government must now "give strong signals, and change of method," he said. A view shared by the leader of the CGT, Bernard Thibault, who on Tuesday urged the convening of a new social summit at the Elysee.The meeting, a time desired by the head of state says he would aim to "take stock of the situation regarding employment, economic and social policy and purchasing power for practical decisions for implementing fast.

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PSA Peugeot Citro?n: losses tripled in 2009

French carmaker PSA Peugeot Citroen announced Wednesday a net loss of 1.161 billion euros in fiscal 2009, more than three times more than the 363 million euro loss a year ago. The turnover amounted to decline from 10.9% to 48.417 billion euros.

The year 2009 is characterized by an evolution "very mixed," the group said. In the second half, the recovery observed in the market, supported mainly by premiums scrapped in several countries, led by PSA Peugeot Citro?n to increase market share – 5.1% – and find a net operating profit positive 137 million euros over the last six months of the year after losing in the first half.Finally, the past year, it is negative ground, 689 million euros.

Based on this trend, and to a further increase its market share in 2010, PSA Peugeot Citroen said it planned a current operating profit in the first half of 2010.

However, this year, "Market conditions continue to be difficult," said Chief Executive Philippe Varin, who expects the withdrawal of European car market of around 9%. In the radar screens, the Automotive Performance Plan "to support sales, reduce costs and better use of production capacity," the official said.The launch of new models is also subject to high expectations.

The manufacturer's financial results for 2009 reflect the impact of the economic crisis: global sales were folded by 2.2% to 3.188 million units in a market decline of 3.1%. However, the debt has been reduced from 913 million euros, now lying under 2 billion euros to 1.993 billion euros. Shareholders' equity amounted to 12.4 billion euros at December 31, 2009, for a debt ratio of 16%.

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Vivendi analysts attempt to assess the benefits

Vivendi was convicted Friday of having provided misleading information to shareholders as part of the class action initiated in 2002 in the United States. Upon initiation of the Paris stock market on Monday, the action the French media group has shown in red lantern: Vivendi lends more than 3.6% at midday, to 18.1 euros. Since the start of the trial, which opened October 5, 2009, the stock has skidded 15%.

Vivendi has said it would immediately seek the annulment of the verdict, considering many have grounds for appeal, including the admission of French shareholders in the process and "the wrong method of calculation of damages by the plaintiffs .

Precisely, the question of damages is central.Natixis Securities (review "step up" with a target price of 20.5 euros) says it is for now "impossible to know the benefits that will ultimately claimed. But we know the upper limit, namely 6.6 billion euros, according to plaintiffs' lawyers.

Uncertainty about the amount of compensation

The broker table for the moment on the assumption that 50% of claimants will be compensated – or they do not require as happens in 25 to 30% of cases for class-actions in the United States or that they are not eligible – the amount of damages would range around 3.3 billion euros creditreport .

CM-CIC, which is to "hold" while reducing its theoretical value from 21 to 20 euros, the risk is estimated at 2 billion euros.The broker said to have maintained a 20% discount in its estimates, "given the uncertainties posed by this litigation."

Uncertainties that will influence, and that will last. Vivendi said the prospective payment amounts would be "uncertain for an extended period yet undetermined.

According to CM-CIC, the final verdict on appeal, will not occur until 2011-2012. Vivendi should not provisioned hedge risk in its 2009 accounts.

Nevertheless, this verdict is limiting financial flexibility, Vivendi, at a time when external growth is central to its strategy.

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H1N1 Vaccines: Sanofi Pasteur willing to renegotiate his contract

Four laboratories were sold to the French government 94 million doses of vaccine against influenza A. This is the British GSK for 50 million doses from Sanofi Pasteur French (28 million doses), Swiss Novartis (16 million) and the U.S. Baxter (50 000 doses). All these quantities have not yet been delivered for lack of sufficient production capacity. And even if the needs now seem to have been overstated, these manufacturers have no plans so far to suspend deliveries.

"For now, we have delivered half of our 28 million doses, which is consistent with our commitments, Le Figaro said a spokesman for Sanofi Pasteur. And we will continue to stagger our deliveries as agreed until March. The government has not contacted us to ask us to consider something else. "Contacts, GSK and Novartis did not respond to our calls on Sunday.

675 million euros

Legally, it seems very difficult to challenge a contract by tender procedure if it is binding. The economic and political reality of things can push the labs to be conciliatory, given the weight of government on drugs: is the State which sets prices, and Medicare which, directly or indirectly, pays! Sanofi-Pasteur – French group which is more … – said he also "willing to renegotiate if the government asked," even if "no clause in the contract so provides."

Sanofi-Pasteur's vaccine bill without adjuvant dose 6.25 euros; GSK, 7 euros, Novartis, EUR 9.34; Baxter, 10 euros. Overall, the market rises and to 675 million euros.Besides the 36 million doses that the government had pr?r?serv?es, where the 94 million departure would not have been enough! Manufacturers have realized that they could make a cross on the command there.

Another beneficiary of influenza A, Roche, who with treatment Tamiflu, which reduces the duration of the flu, "has been a more important," admits one in the Swiss group. But in this case, the stock of government has been gradually established since 2003, with 33 million doses of which 24 million treatments of Tamiflu and 11 million treatment courses of Relenza (GSK).

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Nuclear Seoul wins contract for UAE

The decision should not intervene before the first quarter of 2010. A consortium of South Korean and U.S., led by the public company Korea Electric Power Corp., won a contract for $ 20.4 billion to build nuclear plants in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The latter will thus become the first Gulf Arab country to generate electricity by nuclear energy.

The agreement was signed in the presence of President of UAE, Sheikh Khalifa Al Nahyan, and his South Korean counterpart, Lee Myung-bak, visited Abu Dhabi on Sunday, said the official news agency Wam.

The winning consortium includes, in addition to KEPCO, the South Korean companies including Samsung, Hyundai, Doosan Heavy Industries, but the U.S. group Westinghouse and Japan's Toshiba.It will include the support "of the design, construction and support the operation of four nuclear power plants" of 1,400 megawatts each, according to a statement from the UAE Agency of Nuclear Energy, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation ( ENEC), quoted Wam.

In competition with a French consortium

In Seoul, the South Korean Ministry of Economy said that the consortium led by KEPCO has signed a contract worth 40 billion dollars in total, adding that besides the $ 20 billion announced Sunday in Abu Dhabi, a second contract 20 billion dollars would follow for the operation of these four plants.

A UAE official said however that "a contract for the operation of four nuclear power plants has not been assigned yet", referring to the second tranche of 20 billion dollars.

The South Korean consortium, which consisted originally KEPCO, Samsung and Hyundai, was competing with a French consortium led by EDF, GDF, Areva and Total and US-Japan alliance consisting of General Electric and Hitachi. The French had originally been donated favorites. The tender was for the construction of two to six nuclear reactors of the third generation in the richest of the seven members of the federation of UAE. Contacted by Figaro.fr, Areva refused to comment at any time.

Construction should begin in 2012 and "the first reactor will be operational in 2017, had then said the Director General the ENEC, Mohamed Al-Hammadi.