retail trade Constant dispute about the closing time

Status: 21.06.2021 5:43 p.m.

25 years ago, the Bundestag approved longer shop opening times. But to what extent do more flexible rules benefit retail – and what price do employees pay? The debate continues.

From Jens Eberl, WDR

When Berliners want to go shopping in Bavaria, they might find themselves in front of closed doors every now and then. Berliners are used to having shops open around the clock. And Bavaria, on the other hand, has the shortest opening times in Germany. Since 2006, responsibility for regulating shop closing times lies with the federal states. The federal store closing law only applies in the federal states that have not passed their own store opening law; and that is the case in Bavaria. According to the Federal Store Opening Act, sales are allowed Monday to Saturday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Bakeries are allowed to open from 5.30 a.m. In Rhineland-Palatinate and Saxony, the shops are allowed to open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., in the other federal states, 0 a.m. to midnight.

“The job can hardly be planned any more”

Have the more flexible opening times proven effective? The balance sheets are very different. Stefan Genth, chief executive of the retail trade association (HDE), says that liberalization was an important and right step. “Especially in the food retail sector, customers like to use the longer opening times to shop later in the evening after the working day and to take a look around.” The service union ver.di, on the other hand, speaks of a massive deterioration in working conditions. “Due to the long opening times, the employees are required to be much more flexible, the job can hardly be planned,” says Federal Board Member Stefanie Benefitberger. Compared to the past, there are many more part-time workers; the longer opening times have not led to the creation of full-time jobs. “There are simply fewer staff available for advice in the store, so that the opening times can be covered,” says Benefitberger. “Two thirds of those employed in retail are women. The expansion of part-time work and employment that is not subject to social security contributions are at their expense and mean that they are dependent on basic security in old age.”

Jobs for millions of people

The industry association contradicts: Liberalization has increased the need for labor in the retail sector. “Particularly in the food trade, additional jobs were created in order to be able to cover the evening and night hours,” said HDE General Manager Genth. Overall, the retail trade in Germany today offers more than three million people a job.

The union also sees a connection between the dying inner cities and the long opening times. There was a big cutthroat competition, so ver.di board member Benefitberger. “Four corporations make around 80 percent of sales in foodstuffs, three corporations make almost 90 percent of sales in drugstore articles.” Not every company was able to go along, especially smaller shops should have closed that way.

Sunday opening as an economic aid?

In the current discussion about shop opening times, the main focus is currently on Sunday. The trade association, the association of towns and municipalities and Marcel Fratzscher, head of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), have signed up for a general Sunday opening until Christmas – as an economic aid for the industry, which has been hard hit by Corona.

“In many other areas of the economy, opening on Sundays is a matter of course. In restaurants and pubs it is part of everyday life that the doors are also wide open on Sundays. The same is true of theaters, cinemas or museums worked on Sundays, “said industry representative Genth. “Only in the retail sector, as a rule, everything has to be closed on Sundays. That is no longer in keeping with the times.”

Resistance in court too

But the trade union ver.di is massively resisting further liberalization, which is why it repeatedly goes to court. The advance of the HDE is a “general attack” on the trade workers, their families, and the Basic Law. “The HDE thinks too short-sightedly when it hopes to liven up the city centers and shops with shopping Sundays,” said union Benefitberger. “Because just because it is open longer, people cannot spend more money. Sunday sales only move sales from working days to Sunday.”

At the moment, shops generally have to close on Sundays and public holidays. There are exceptions, for example, for bakeries, flower shops, newsagents, petrol stations and shops in train stations and airports

That is to say, only when the Gree station is “high enough”, will there be this good news. Moreover, although this shareholding plan stipulates that employees can subscribe for Gree Electric’s shares at a 50% discount, Gree’s The employee stock ownership plan also sets a strict performance appraisal period. The evaluation indicators of the employee stock ownership plan are divided into company performance evaluation indicators and individual performance evaluation indicators. Among them, the company’s performance evaluation indicators are as follows: The lock-in period of the employee plan is 12 months, and the company’s performance evaluation indicators are based on 2020 as a reference benchmark. Among them, the company’s performance appraisal indicators are: the net profit of 2021 is compared with that of 2020 Increase not less than 10% , And the current year’s cash dividend per share shall not be less than 2 yuan or the total cash dividend shall not be less than 50% of the current year’s net profit; the net profit in 2022 will increase by not less than 20% compared to 2020, and the current year’s cash dividend per share shall not be less than 2 The total amount of RMB or cash dividends shall not be less than 50% of the net profit for the year. Gree Electric stated that the first assessment vesting period expires, and if the company’s performance assessment indicators do not meet the standard, the combined assessment will be deferred to the second assessment vesting period. If after the expiration of the second assessment vesting period, the company’s performance assessment fails to meet the standards, the management committee will make a decision to dispose of it, including cancellation or sale of stocks at an opportunity, etc., and the original capital contribution paid by the corresponding holder will be returned to the limit , The remaining income (if any) is returned to the company. That is, if the company’s performance evaluation indicators are not completed, everyone will not be able to enjoy the rights; if the company’s performance evaluation indicators are met, and the individual performance evaluation does not meet the standards, the individual will not be able to enjoy the rights. In addition, this provision is also mentioned in the employee stock ownership plan: Based on the needs of employees to increase stock appreciation gains and participate in corporate governance through centralized management, the holders of this employee stock ownership plan promise and authorize that they will directly hold the stock rights of this employee stock ownership plan before retiring from the company to their personal securities accounts. For some stocks, the union shall exercise the voting rights according to the will of the union (excluding the voting rights of the shares held by directors, supervisors, and senior managers). Without the prior written confirmation of the union, the union shall not sell or set a pledge on its own, otherwise the union has the right to withdraw it. The corresponding share income, related income is managed by a special account set up by the trade union and enjoyed by other holders, and the specific distribution method is democratically determined by the holders. To put it simply, Gree stated that this employee plan requires the holder’s commitment and authorization, and it is not possible to withdraw at will. The company enjoys the right to dividends before retirement, and the ban on sales can be lifted after retirement. As a result, it also largely restricts the behavior of employees selling stocks at will. It seems that in the face of this seemingly good employee stock ownership plan, Gree has many barriers to get it. Having said that, Gree’s “boots are on the ground” when it allocates employee housing some time ago to be delivered soon, but this time reading the content of Gree’s latest announcement, it is not difficult to see a big change in attitude. What’s more noteworthy is that Gree’s share price has fallen by four percentage points as of 11 am today. Gree’s market trend today clearly shows The capital market’s opposition to employee stock ownership plans. Finally, I would like to mention that this time the employee stock ownership plan, Dong Mingzhu made a floating profit of 800 million, Who is the big winner in the end? People may have thought of it…

Despite leaving the showbiz halo, Pham Huong is always one of the top beauty symbols in Vietnam. She is always interested in every image posted. Recently, the mother of one child showed off her perfect stature when she had just given birth for 4 months, which made fans extremely excited and demonstrated the sweet and outstanding beauty of the queen after giving birth and date. rank up until now. Pham Huong is a person who practices very hard as well as has a reasonable diet to keep her physique and beauty stable and shine more and more every day. Miss Pham Huong showed off her bright beauty when Max was 4 months old, a rare moment She became younger and more beautiful and fresher with the years. Life is full and always think positively in everything. Sharing beauty tips, Miss Pham Huong shared with Eva.vn as follows: “Because I have a normal birth, I don’t have to abstain from suffering like a caesarean, so after the 4th month I can comfortably practice Yoga. I choose gentle exercises in the early morning at 6 a.m. – 7 a.m. Focus on breathing & exercises to help improve spinal endurance because during pregnancy and postpartum my spine is markedly painful and weak). In addition to exercise, combine with a healthy diet and plenty of fruits and vegetables to improve skin and postpartum physique. It only took her about 2 weeks for her body to return to normal after giving birth. After practicing Yoga regularly every day, the spirit is also much better, stronger and more energetic to take care of Max. Pham Huong, while taking care of his child, still doesn’t forget to practice keeping fit. Pham Huong eats a lot of fruits and vegetables and swims to possess a good look. Perfect body and skin. Miss Pham Huong showed off her perfect body.

In the midday of April 23, the “A-share first-quarter performance pre-increasing king” Hotview Bio once again rose by the daily limit, the stock price reported 174.13 yuan per share, and the total market value exceeded 10 billion yuan. In the past 9 trading days, there were 6 daily limits, and the stock price has increased by more than 3 times since April.

As the king of pre-increasing A-share performance in the first quarter, Rejing Bio realized a net profit of 660 million yuan attributable to the parent in the first quarter, a year-on-year increase of about 1,200 times. Regarding the reasons for the pre-increasing performance, Hotview Bio issued an announcement stating that the company’s two new coronavirus antigen detection kits have been certified by the German Federal Institute of Medicines and Medical Devices and can be sold in German supermarkets and pharmacies. Affected by the performance forecast, from April 12th to April 19th, Hotview Biotech gained 5 daily limit on 6 trading days.

It is worth noting that the company’s major shareholders violated regulations to reduce their holdings after the stock price of Hotview Biotechnology soared. Rejing Bio announced that in October 2020, shareholders of Fortune Group announced that three companies will reduce their holdings, and the reduction plan will expire on April 9. During the period, a total of 4.57 million shares were reduced, accounting for 7% of the company’s total share capital. The price of the reduction is maintained at around 40 yuan, and the amount of the reduction is 194 million yuan.

After the expiration of the shareholding reduction, the three Dachen companies are still reducing their shareholdings. Rejing Bio issued an announcement on this matter, stating that due to the negligence of the staff to reduce the shareholding procedures, the three companies of Dachen Group reduced their holdings of 1.368 million shares through a centralized bidding transaction, accounting for 2.2% of the company’s total share capital, and 2.2% after the stock price soared. The reduction in holdings is also close to 100 million yuan. (Text | AI Finance and Economics Zhu Quanhong)

Meghan dressed simply with blue jeans, a black T-shirt, green jacket, pointed-toe flats and black mask. Meanwhile, Archie is wearing a black beanie, gray sweater, rolled up jeans, white Velcro sneakers, and a green backpack. The image of the former American actor and son was taken the day after Harry, 36, returned to Los Angeles after his grandfather’s funeral. Prince Harry flew to Los Angeles on an American Airlines flight on the afternoon of January 20. He was then taken home by the driver to Montecito, California. He did not stay in England to celebrate his grandmother’s 95th birthday, Queen Elizabeth II. Meghan did not return to England to attend Prince Philip’s funeral because she was pregnant and was told by her doctor not to travel far. Harry and Meghan moved to California after announcing leaving the British Royal and renouncing honorary titles. After the royal “gossip” conversation, relationships between the two and Harry’s family members only worsened. On February 14, the two announced they were expecting their second child, a baby girl, to be born.

Today (April 15), the People’s Court of Ba Ria – Vung Tau province brought the case of “fraudulent appropriation of property” occurred at Sao Vang Investment Joint Stock Company (referred to as Sao Vang company for short, address number 257). Ba Cu, Ward 4, Vung Tau City) to trial. This is a fraud case with the amount of hundreds of billion dong.

In court, the defendant Pham Thi Thu Ha (SN 1983, hometown of Ha Tinh, residing in Vung Tau City) was prosecuted by VKSND of the same level for fraudulent appropriation of property.

Concerning this case, the mastermind – defendant Huynh Thi Ngan Trang (SN 1983, resident of Xuan Loc district, Dong Nai province) has fled and is being wanted.

Defendant Pham Thi Thu Ha at the trial this morning (April 15). Photo: Quang Hung

From the early morning, hundreds of people who were the victims, who were involved in the case have been in court, crowded in the hall and the railing outside the courtroom.

Some victims also brought law books to prepare for the argument in court.

However, after the examination of the composition of the court, the Panel decided to postpone the trial for the reasons: many victims are absent, the person with related obligations and the victim requested the postponement … , delay after more than 1 month, will be reopened.

According to the list announced by the secretary, this trial the court summoned more than 144 victims and more than 400 people with related obligations. However, only more than 100 victims were present and more than 134 persons with related rights and obligations participated.

After the decision to postpone the trial, many defendants petitioned to send the People’s Court to return the files to further investigate the case, they said that the procedural agency had “overlooked” the crime, many related issues in the case. the judgment has not been satisfactorily resolved …

Appropriated nearly 224 billion dong of 433 customers

According to the case file, from 2012 to June 2017, Huynh Thi Ngan Trang – Chairman of Sao Vang and Pham Thi Thu Ha – held the positions: Director, Deputy General Director, The treasurer of Sao Vang Company deceived 433 customers to steal nearly 224 billion dong.

Trang and Ha confessed that during the above period, Sao Vang company invested in projects, bought shares at a loss, had no revenue, but both still maintained to pay profits to customers, taking money from the customer pays the customer, the latter pays the first.

Hundreds of people were harmed, who were on duty involved in court early in the morning. Photo: Quang Hung

Many participants in court leave the courtroom after the decision to postpone. Photo: Quang Hung

In December 2016, Sao Vang Company terminated the investment activities of projects, but continued to mobilize capital from customers for investment cooperation. By June 2017, although Sao Vang Company could not afford to pay, Trang continued to deceive customers through the service staff, customer department to appeal and entice customers by offer a profit rate of 22-30% for them to deposit money into the company and then appropriate a portion of paying for previous customers.

In order to carry out the above behavior, Trang and Ha have made false documents on the charter capital contribution of member companies in cash; taking advantage of the position of General Director, concurrently Chairman of the Board of Directors, Trang instructs employees to spend money for the “virtual” project investment page, no revenue.

After that, Trang pays a certain amount of money to maintain the cash fund of Sao Vang, to ensure the payment of principal and profit for customers, pay commissions for employees and operating expenses. …

With the above deceitful tricks, Trang fraudulently appropriated the money of 433 customers with the amount of more than VND 223 billion. Specifically, Sao Vang original amount has not yet paid to these customers is more than 407 billion VND; the amount of profit paid is more than 174 billion dong; the amount of commissions for employees is over 9 billion.

For Pham Thi Thu Ha’s behavior, the investigation and police determined that between 2010 and 2016, Ha was a shareholder, holding important positions in the company, playing a role in helping for phishing page with the above tricks.

From 2015 to 2016, Ha helped Trang directly sign 70 investment cooperation contracts and 7 maturity contracts with 67 customers, and signed annexes of investment cooperation contracts with fixed profit agreements. Payable to customers 27.6% / year, expected profit from 15-36% / year, with commitment to pay profit in advance to customers, regardless of business results.

Consequently, 67 customers trusted and were “trapped” to pay Sao Vang, with the appropriated amount of nearly 24 billion VND.

The defendants petitioned for the return of additional investigation files because they believed that the case “omitted the crime”. Someone brought law books to court to prepare for the argument. Photo: Quang Hung

At the investigation agency, Trang confessed all the criminal acts committed by Trang. Ba Ria – Vung Tau Provincial Police CSDT has prosecuted the defendant, applied measures to prevent leaving the residence, delayed exit for Trang due to her pregnancy, child nursing under 36 months old.

However, on March 26, 2020, Trang fled the locality, so the investigating agency issued a pursuit decision, suspended the investigation for the accused and decided to separate the criminal case for criminal acts. Trang’s defendant, after being caught, will be handled later.

At the same time, the police agency ordered distraint, suspend transactions for assets such as land use rights, shares related to Trang and Sao Vang company.

Defendant Ha confessed his crime, but said that everything was directed by Trang, did not intentionally commit fraud to appropriate property with Trang.

However, with documents and evidence gathered together with testimony during the settlement of the case, the police agency determined that Ha was an accomplice with Trang on the crime of appropriating property.

In this case, the investigation agency also worked with 13 shareholders of Sao Vang company and identified some shareholders who did not participate in the company’s operations, did not know Trang and Ha committed criminal acts. insufficient grounds to consider criminal liability.
Meanwhile, some other shareholders denied the responsibility and role related to the defendant’s criminal acts, so when the Trang is arrested, the investigation agency will continue to consider and handle.