World Economy

Apr 17, 2008

Bouygues Construction wins 2 contracts for 185 million euros

Bouygues Construction wins 2 contracts for 185 million euros



The holding company announced Thursday having won two contracts for projects tours in Switzerland and Russia.

The Swiss subsidiary of Bouygues Losinger has started the construction of the "Prime Tower." It will become the highest tower of the country with its 126 meters high. The contract was negotiated for a total amount of 165 million euros, of which 71 million for Losinger.

In Russia, the contract signed by the subsidiary Bouyguesstroï bring 136 million, including 116 million for Bouyguesstroï. It involves the construction of a luxury residential complex in Yekaterinburg, the capital of the Urals. This package will measure 215 metres high.




Dream of undocumented: many supporters



One week after the start of the strike of employees without proper papers, calls for regulation and solidarity have multiplied. The association France Terre d'Asile calls for the establishment of a "committee of wise men" from diverse backgrounds to address the issue of undocumented migrants


Es calls to stabilize and solidarity with undocumented workers is growing in France, a week after the start of an unprecedented mobilization in the country. Hundreds of undocumented - from 300 to 500 depending on the source - went on strike, mostly in Paris and Ile-de-France, calling for the granting of papers.

"The employment contract should find a prominent place"
The CGT and the association Rights Ahead! Require negotiation with the Ministry of Labour for regularisation in 150 trades lacking manpower, mainly catering and construction, as provided for a circular last January.

Monday, the League of Human Rights, the FSU, and the association Unef France Terre d'asile joined these claims and called to participate in a meeting Wednesday night at the Labour Exchange in Paris .

Without "open the door to a general regulation," the Socialist Party called "a return to a policy based on clear and objective criteria" for regularisation. "The employment contract should find a prominent place in these criteria," said MEP Stéphane Le Foll point at the weekly press.

The president of the Union of trades and industries from hospitality (UMIH), Andre Daguin, also called for a significant adjustment, 50000 to 100000 workers. "What are the disadvantages to do?" He queried microwave RTL. "If you do not, you must dismiss. Therefore, in Paris a lot of restaurants will be totally disrupted, we will kill a part of tourism," warned Andre Daguin, which does not mean regularize "any that, no matter how ".

"People who work with us, which are reported by their boss, pay their taxes, their social security contributions (...) Those who give satisfaction in their work, who never attacked anyone, those who lead a normal life, they must be regularized, "he said.

Since July 1, 2007, employers must check with the prefects authenticity of the papers of foreign workers.
"Commission des Sages"
In a statement, the League of Human Rights request "that it does not refer in hiding thousands of people who dared to come to full light to claim their rightful place in our society." She asked "that no solution of force does devote segregation and social injustice.

France Terre d'asile stands on its side against the "hard line" of the government and calls for the Socialist Party which should contribute to "a strong spirit of solidarity". The association advocates the establishment of a "committee of wise men" from diverse backgrounds to deal with the issue of undocumented workers. "They are not a burden. Proof, they want to participate in the national effort in contributing."

For the student union Unef, this allows mobilization "to denounce a double hypocrisy: that" some companies that benefit from a workforce precarious "and the government that," blinded by a political figure of immigration , turns its back on the situation of these workers and their legitimate aspiration to equal rights. "


They are two to compete Editis, the second french editor, property fund Wendel, and the hours ahead will be decisive. Led by Jean-Bernard Lafonta, Wendel has two irons in fire. On the one hand, it negotiates directly with the French Vincent Mountain, the owner of Media Holdings, a group of french edition of modest size. On the other hand, his manager Alain Kouck, the boss of Editis, negotiates with the Spanish Planeta, the first Spanish publishing group, ranked the 7th largest in the world.

By languish his two clients, Wendel hopes to draw one billion euros. But beyond this financial battle is the fate of our cultural industries which will play once more. Are we still able to maintain our cultural heritage in France? Should we, doing nothing, abandon editions Nathan, Plon, Bordas, Robert Laffont, Discovery, Le Cherche Midi, Belfond ... Foreign capital?



Let's go back a few years back. Before the fall of Jean-Marie Messier, France had two major jewels in the book industry: Vivendi Universal Publishing (VUP), the leader, and Hachette Books (Lagardère Group), his challenger. In the debacle of Vivendi, Jean-Rene Fourtou, Messier's successor, has decided to absorb the debt of the group, to sell VUP at Hachette. Aiguillonnée bronca by independent publishers, Europe puts the hola. After a lengthy process of one year, Hachette gets strip VUP up 40% of its perimeter.

And thus qu'Arnaud Lagardere wins Larousse, Dalloz, Dunot, Armand Collin and Spanish Anaya and becomes number 1 of the French edition. In charge for him to sell the remaining 60%. Vincent Mountain is already Lagardère candidate but prefers the fund Wendel, at the time led by Ernest-Antoine Seilliere, which aligns 660 million.

A possible tumbled 340 million euros

VUP, renamed Editis, however, remains among French hands. Despite this change of shareholder, Alain Kouck manages to keep the manager. It reformats its strategy and reacquires publishing houses. Its value again on the rise and Wendel can no longer shy away from the prospect of a nice capital gain. If the sale is concluded around one billion euros, Wendel has done a wonderful tumbled to 340 million euros in four years. Or more than half of the original price ...

In addition, Wendel leaving the book world before the end of the peaceful. He escapes and the heavy investment required by the digital revolution of the book and s'épargnerait painful sacrifices to reduce the distribution network Editis.

by erectusplus at 10:04 AM |