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Still Attractive? By Milena Radoman

The CESE, A Consultant for Social
Issues
The third assembly of the Principality
of Monaco, the Economic, Social
and Environmental Council (CESE)
chaired by Caroline Rougaignon-Vernin,
gives opinions on draft laws in social,
financial, commercial, industrial
and urban planning matters, etc. It
issues opinions, proposals, reports
and resolutions. The CESE is made
up of 36 members appointed for
3 years. The Government presents
12, and chooses the other 24 from
the lists drawn up by the Union of
Trade Unions and the Federation of
Monegasque Businesses. It is the only
assembly in the country which brings
together members of different foreign
communities and which offers them a
means of expression.

make more of an effort. “In sectors where funds in balance,” says Christophe Robino. of employment law (to regulate temporary
attractiveness is less good, it is up to employers employment) and perhaps reform the notion
to question themselves.” In the banking sector, Social Security benefits of head of household. Currently, an employed
“major financial centres in Europe or further The Monegasque social security model woman cannot provide her dependents with
afield offer higher pay, or in any case more is based above all on a system of social family allowances and health coverage, except
attractive ‘packages’ than ours”, indicated benefits and retirement that is generally on a subsidiary basis (if she isn’t married, for
Jean Castellini when he was in charge of State more advantageous than in neighbouring example). “This notion of head of household,
finances. In Monaco, some companies take it countries. “The social services compensation enshrined in the Franco-Monegasque social
upon themselves to offer salary incentives. “At fund (CCSS) is financed mainly by employers security convention which dates from 1952,
Carrefour Monaco, you can have a 14-month because in Monaco there are no employee no longer has reason to exist. We are in the
salary, paid parking, a 12% discount on your contributions for health insurance,” notes process of seeing how to change it (…) so that
shopping, an attendance bonus of 80 euros Christophe Robino, praising the solidity there is no longer any difference between
each month and triple pay on Sundays,” points of the CAR retirement fund, based on a men and women.” This means that a woman
out Cédrick Lanari, who would like to see point acquisition system. This technique of working in Monaco in the private sector could
the private sector better taking inflation into retirement points has also been developed receive the same benefits as a man as long as
account. “The Monegasque State is there to in France with top-up plans for Agirc-Arrco she meets the eligibility conditions, even if the
support economic activity and help business private sector employees; it’s so flourishing home of residence is in France. A cornerstone
creation in certain difficult periods. This that the French government would like to draw that would strengthen the Monegasque model.
was the case last year, when the purchasing 1 to 3 billion euros from the coffers of the plan In the same way as short or medium term
power of employees was strongly impacted to revalue small pensions…. solutions to relieve congestion in Monaco
by inflation. We implemented bonuses with no Although the Monegasque pension system or provide accommodation for workers in
charges to encourage employers to make an was reformed in 2012, today, the social neighbouring municipalities. As National
effort. This is a temporary solution, but we do funds do not seem to be threatened. “Our Council representative Nathalie Amoratti-Blanc
not rule out doing it again. But this must not systems work well, they make it possible to reminds us: “We must send a real signal to
become an excuse for employers to rely solely increase family allowances and pensions to all employees in the Principality who live in
on these bonuses. This would have the effect help households with children to cope with the region and who are increasingly starting
of undermining social security funds. However, inflation,” indicates Christophe Robino who to turn away from Monaco because of traffic
our interest is to maintain profitable social is even thinking of expanding the scope congestion”.

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