January 2017 - Page 29 of 31

Airlines escape sanctions

04/01/2017

Nice Cote d'Azur airport Photo: Lafrance — Nice Cote d’Azur airport Photo: Lafrance

France’s Council of State has overturned an appeal by the Airport Nuisance Control Authority (ACNUSA), brought to challenge the overturning of fines it had imposed on three airlines, Darta, Brussels Airlines and Ixair. The airlines were fined €18,000, €23,000 and €7,000 in February 2013 for failing to respect authorised flying times at Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport.

An error in the drafting of an initial report had prevented ACNUSA from prosecuting the companies, but a second report had encouraged the supervisory authority to impose the fines against the three companies. Sitting in Paris, the Council of State confirmed the earlier decision of the Court of Appeal that the sanctions should be annulled.

The magistrates cited the general principle of law according to which “an administrative authority can not sanction the same person twice for the same acts”.

READ ALSO: Turkish Airlines flight causes panic in Nice
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Monaco employers ready for 2017

by: Cassandra Tanti

03/01/2017

Minister of Health and Social Affairs, Stéphane Valeri, with FEDEM President Philippe Ortelli. Photo: FEDEM

Philippe Ortelli, President of FEDEM, Monaco’s federation of employers, has used an end of year editorial in Monaco Business News to point out the many legal advances achieved in 2016.

In particular, he drew attention to the new law on teleworking, which provides a legal framework for the trend of distance working. Several Monegasque companies, including Monaco Telecom, are utilising teleworking to cut down on commuting and the need for ever more office space, both of which are particularly challenging in the Principality.

Mr Ortelli, an advocate of liberal economics, uses column inches to praise an open economy and condemn what he calls “immobile conservatism”.

“It is through our ability to federate, to act together, to put our differences and our egos in their rightful place, that we will build the Monaco of tomorrow, strong and solid, which will benefit us in our economic activities,” Mr Ortelli said, adding that the world around us is moving faster and faster, presenting its own challenges.

Employers in Monaco can count on FEDEM in 2017, he concludes. (Feature image: Phil Whitehouse)

READ MORE: FEDEM celebrates healthy relations

BA tries to ward off new strike

by: Cassandra Tanti

03/01/2017

British Airways cabin crew who cancelled a strike due to take place over the Christmas holiday weekend have now voted to walk out for 48 hours, starting on January 10.

In a war of words, Unite union official Oliver Richardson said: “British Airways is needlessly provoking strike action by refusing to extend the mandate of the strike ballot and allow meaningful talks to take place. Instead of listening to why its ‘mixed fleet’ cabin crew rejected the offer negotiated at Acas, British Airways has sought instead to try and bully a workforce of young men and women who are trying to eke out a living on poverty pay.”

The airline retaliated by saying the cabin crew had chosen to target BA’s customers. “We will plan to ensure that all our customers travel to their destinations,” he said. “Mixed fleet Unite represents only 15 percent of our cabin crew.”

The airline said its contingency plans will be made known on Friday, January 6.

Population drops as Airbnb takes off

by: Cassandra Tanti

03/01/2017

French daily Le Parisien has reported that the population of Paris fell by 13,660 people between 2009 and 2014. The 1st, 2nd, 4th and 8th arrondissements all saw a drop in numbers of more than one percent.

Intriguingly, the falling permanent population has been blamed largely on Airbnb, which had 60,000 listings for France’s capital in 2015, compared to 4,000 in 2012. Jean-François Legaret, mayor of the 1st arrondissement, told the daily that the Airbnb phenomenon has been a “catastrophe” for central Paris. The Town Hall has estimated that 20,000 primary residences have been lost to temporary rentals, and has threatened to increase taxes on what it calls “second homes”.

Throughout France, hoteliers have complained that the “unregulated” market in accommodation services is having a major detrimental impact on their business operations.

Nice officer to face court in Paris

by: Cassandra Tanti

03/01/2017

The Nice police officer who alleged that she was put under pressure to downplay security lapses during the Bastille Day attack in Nice last year is due to appear in court in Paris on Wednesday.

Sandra Bertin was in charge of the Nice Municipal Police control centre on the fateful night of July 14 that took the lives of 86 people, and on the following day she claimed she received a telephone call from a high-level police officer who said he was a member of the Minister of the Interior’s cabinet, during which she was “harassed,” and told to modify a report on the tragic events.

Rather than comply and keep quiet about the telephone call, she made it public. The then Minister of the Interior, Bernard Cazeneuve, publicly denounced Ms Bertin and lodged a criminal complaint for “defamation” against the long-serving officer.

After a period of silence, the complaint was lodged with the legal authorities, which will now consider the case and decide between the word of a police officer and the man who five months after the Nice atrocity became France’s prime minister.

Tougher new rules for tax advisers

by: Cassandra Tanti

02/01/2017

The UK’s tax collectors have new powers from January 1 to “name and shame” professional advisers who enable tax evasion.

Advisers will be liable for fines of up to 100 percent of the tax involved, or £3,000, whichever is higher, even if the firm’s Board or principals were unaware that subordinates gave faulty advice.

Financial secretary to the Treasury Jane Ellison said: “Tax evasion is a crime and as a government we have led reform of the international tax system to root it out. Closer to home we are creating a tax system where taxes are fair, competitive and paid.”

The MP explained that a “raft of measures have [been] introduced to tackle avoidance and evasion will create a level playing field for the vast majority of people and businesses who play fair and pay what is due”.

Professional such as accountants, tax advisers and lawyers will be waiting to see if the government tries to extend the new rules to include the giving of advice on tax minimisation that is perfectly legal. Once again, the spotlight will fall on the boundaries of tax evasion and tax avoidance.

Also from January 1, UK taxpayers are required to correct past tax evasion. The deadline is September 30, 2018.

Airlines escape sanctions

Monaco employers ready for 2017

BA tries to ward off new strike

Population drops as Airbnb takes off

Nice officer to face court in Paris

Tougher new rules for tax advisers

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