International & World Report

The crisis in the eurozone, triggered by the financial woes of Greece, does not discourage candidates for membership. Instead, the accelerated deadlines. Next on the list, Estonia – a member of the European Union since 2004, like its Baltic neighbors – has become in January the 17th state to adopt the single currency when it emerges just one of the worst recessions its history. The small Baltic state announced Friday a fiscal deficit and public debt for 2009 well below the limits set by the European Union, respectively 1.7% and 7.2%. These exemplary figures are enough to make the envy of the major European countries even if they hide a decline in GDP of 14%.

With these results, the government intends to pass his entrance examination in May for publishing the report in Brussels in June and especially in the political verdict Finance Ministers."I do not see how they could refuse," said Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Paet. Most countries in the euro area far exceed the criteria, "Bill Thomson, OECD, grade:" One can always interpret in one way or another, especially on the sustainability of public finances. This is a political decision. "As such, the entry of Estonia into the OECD in late May it provides proof of credibility.

Yet a year ago, few experts would have bet on the country joining the single currency. After years of euphoria, the country has suffered serious setbacks: the collapse of the housing bubble, crash consumption, falling exports … and unemployment rising sharply, to 14%.

Unlike most countries that have tirelessly to revive the machine, the strategy here was quite different, based at the end of 2008 on the restrictions.Salaries down, the tax burden to rise, spending freeze … In 2009, savings accounted for 9.2 points of GDP. All without protest or strike extent. "If we compare the living standards of the time (prior to its independence from Russia in 1991) and today is the day and night. Wages have increased significantly between 2005 and 2008, justifies Rein Minka, vice president of the central bank. "Estonians do not complain, it is not in their nature. They have not forgotten the rationing of the Soviet era, reflects Stecken Antoine, a French importer of cosmetics. They are also followers of the liberal model. "There is a consensus policy, including public opinion, to deny recovery by the public debt," said Maris Lauri, chief economist at Swedbank.

Meanwhile, the newspaper in Tallinn is very difficult.In the image Meeli Lass, 39, 4 children, opera singer, who supports her family with a salary of 13000couronnes (around 830euros) – good pay, judge the young woman. Her husband was fired, and his eldest daughter graduated last nine months looking for a job. "It tightens belt: no output, no new clothes. This winter, heating costs have soared because of very severe cold, they make up half of our budget. We still have potatoes that my husband grows outside the city. "What can we expect Does the euro? "This will be worse, answered Meeli with fatalism. Prices will rise as in Slovenia. And the country loses a little more independence. "

Flexible economy

According to surveys, almost 55% of the population believe the contrary to the virtues of the euro. He starts by removing the specter of devaluation ruinous for the country.Despite the fixed exchange rate regime, many rumors have circulated at the height of the crisis, the contagion of a Latvian lat devalued. The government also relies on the euro to attract investors. "We have a diverse economy and a very flexible system of single tax to 21%. Moreover, if the company reinvests it pays no taxes, "argues the minister of Economy, Juhan Parts.

For Maris Lauri, the only apparent in the short term will come from exports, which have already started to leave. "Estonia has a large network of SMEs that can adapt and produce in small quantities," said the economist. The close cultural, linguistic and geographical Finland is an undeniable asset. In two hours by ferry from Helsinki to Estonia, which produces a third less expensive, has become the preferred subcontractor of Finland.It cultivates its differences with its two Baltic neighbors: Latvia leaded by a banking crisis and real estate and Lithuania dependent on markets in Germany and Poland, which has seen its market collapse.

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The luxury group Hermes has published its results on Thursday throughout the year 2009. Its net sales increased 8.5% to 1.914 billion euros. The statement said all areas are growing with the exception of Japan and is mainly the leather industry which has boosted sales. Its operating profit rose 3.1% to 462.9 million euros and its operating profitability reached 24.2% of sales against 25.5% in 2008.

Group profit is down very slightly, falling from 290.2 million from 288.8 million to cover the damage. At the General Meeting to be held June 7, 2010, the proposed dividend per share of 1.05 euro will be payday loans no teletrack .

The investments of Hermes in 2009 were mainly devoted to enhancing production capacity and its distribution network.The group plans to continue this year to develop its distribution network with the opening of twelve branches, including the new store Rue de Sevres in Paris and a second branch in New York on Madison Avenue, first store dedicated entirely to the masculine.

At the Paris Stock Exchange on Thursday around 9:30 am, the title lost nearly 1.5% at 103.6 euros.

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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. At midday, the department estimated 21% share of the striking teachers, estimated at 40% for the SNES-FSU, while 11.45% of the postal employees would have mobilized in the direction. At the station, the strike rate was estimated at 28% by management, and 32% by the CGT. At RATP, it s'l?verait to 14% depending on the direction, the CGT-RATP not yet have figures to communicate. 180 rallies are also planned throughout France.

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. 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 evolve our pension system, but it does not evolve towards greater social justice, this is again a loss of confidence in politics." 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 guaranteed unsecured personal loan . "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. "Do not fall into the trap of the government, which means that we spoke only of pensions," however, warned this morning Fran?ois Ch?r?que on France 2.

• 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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The French do not really feel the first effects of the recovery. Nearly 43% of them believe the situation will not improve in the short term, against 53% more optimistic, according to an Ipsos Direct Insurance. The 18-34 years are more positive, being 60% believe in a short-term improvement of the economy.

In contrast, the 35-59 years are 49% to fear for the future economic situation. Pessimism contrasts with predictions of positive growth, the government is relying on such an increase of 1.4% of GDP in 2010. It seems that the fear of unemployment prevails in this population group. They are right: the unemployment rate, currently at 9.1% should exceed 10% according to the OECD.

A large majority (69%) French also fear a rise in prices. Again, they are too pessimistic.Economists Natixis, inflation should not exceed 1.2% in 2010, a fairly low level. INSEE table involved a decline in inflation "underlying", that is to say outside energy prices, to 0.9% in July 2010 against 1.8% in October 2009 .

Eight out of ten people expect further increases in oil prices free credit scores . Again, the French would they be worried too? INSEE expects a stable price per barrel to around $ 80 by mid-2010. But the National Institute of Statistics warns that still considerable uncertainty surrounding its estimates, the market of black gold is very volatile.

According to the Ipsos survey, these pessimistic expectations should lead the French champions of saving, save more. Nearly 65% of respondents believe that the crisis will encourage them to save even more.On this point, they agree with the experts. The INSEE estimates that savings will remain at a high level (16.6%) in the first half of 2010, having broken records in 2009.

Latest cares, but not least, the French: the future of pensions. They are 90% believed that "concern about changes in the level of pensions in the years to come is a sense justified. Negotiations on the future of the pension system, initiated by the government this year, will soon fix the issue.

Haro on stress associated with transport. In a study whose findings were published Monday in Le Parisien, Technologia firm specializing in the prevention of occupational risks, points to the adverse effects of increasingly frequent suffered by employees Ile. Saturated lines (lines 1, 3, 6, 7 and 13 are officially), frequent delays (more than 20,000 delays on the single line of busy RERA, in a year), and companies increasingly prompt to relocate their offices in the suburbs for reasons of economy: this is at least enough to increase stress levels of employees affected by these transport commuters daily.15 to 20% of 8 million passengers who travel each day on the Paris network would be affected, according to Jean-Claude Delgenes, CEO of Technologia.

"A triple penalty"

The study, conducted from discussions with employees and more than 150 HR managers, staff representatives or the Committee of Hygiene and Health at Work, underscores the impact of such inconvenience Health employees, and quality of life in the business. "SMEs are the structures whose operation suffers most from these repeated delays, due to their low numbers," says Jean-Claude Delgenes. Employee side, in addition to fatigue, stress and loss of family life brought about by the slowness of some transport is sometimes the career advancement that is hampered by these delays are difficult to predict."For those employees who bear several hours a day on trains or buses arrive tired at work and see their careers blocked, it's triple trouble," says Jean-Claude Delgenes.

Proposals to stimulate discussion

A finding against which the employees interviewed appeared resigned. The firm Technologia, which makes ten proposals (favored by the carpool, or the establishment of an efficient information bound travelers), wants to mobilize otherwise elected on this issue due to the regional elections. A yard more, while companies with more than 1,000 employees will be considered next week by the government, according to their degree of commitment against the psycho-social risks.

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After the large deposits, Emmaus starts now in the "bric-a-brac neighborhood. Based in Paris at Centquatre (the center of artistic creation of 104 rue d'Aubervilliers, XIX), the first such shop opened this week. Nine others should follow in the coming three years after an agreement signed between Emmaus and the City of Paris. In these knick-knacks, buyers will always find so many clothes, furniture or dishes at any price, but small retail space will be reduced (200 to 300 m2) and * opening hours extended to better integrate neighborhood life.

So far, the association only had a Paris address, located at 80 boulevard Jourdan (XIV). For two years, more than 3,000 people flock every Saturday on the 1,000 m2 warehouse for a few hours to exhaust the stock of products recovered during the week.A success that led Emmaus to look for other sites.

It must be said that environmental awareness has boosted donations of used goods while the economic crisis has increased the number of customers looking for bargains. Across the country, 85,000 tonnes of textiles, 65,000 tonnes of furniture and 20,000 tonnes of electrical equipment have been collected by Emmaus in 2008. The resale of these products used generated 148 million euros in 2008 against 142 million in 2007. The 2009 figures should be even better.

Originality of the Parisian experience: the addresses are managed by the association Emmaus Challenge, an offshoot of Emmaus, which uses reintegration of employees and not members of the community."Large urban area offer plenty of room in emergency accommodation, but not many opportunities for employment," says Charles-Edouard Vincent, president of Emmaus Challenge. With its bric-a-brac, it currently employs 80 employees in rehabilitation and aims eventually to bar 300. An experience that is limited for now to the capital which has the largest deposits of products to be collected, and the broader population in need.

Rest now, with the assistance of the City of Paris, to find the space available to open additional stores. And also to find an alternative store to the flagship Boulevard Jourdan. This temporary space is indeed close its doors by the end of September.

* Bric-a-brac Centquatre, 104, rue d'Aubervilliers (XIX). Open Wednesday to Saturday from 15h to 18h. Receiving gifts: Tuesdays from 15h to 18h and 11h to 18h Wednesday through Saturday.Ref.: Www.emmausdefi.org or www.104.fr, under "Shops".