Menu

The Monster Employment Index France fell 15 points in November, resuming its downward trend following a slight correction in October. The banking, finance and insurance sector registered the sharpest fall in online job demand as the global financial crisis continues to evolve. Year-on-year the Index slumped 14 points, or 8 percent.

Scrooge-like economy got you down? You're not alone. The ripple effects of the economic downturn are being felt by workers across the office this holiday season as companies cut back on costly end of the year perks like bonuses, gifts and parties. This is according to a recent CareerBuilder.com survey conducted among more than 3,000 hiring managers and HR professionals.

November’s slight increase in online job availability demonstrates that the German labor market is holding up remarkably well in the face of deepening economic concerns. Although the growth trend has gradually flattened during 2008, there were still more online job offerings in November than a year earlier as Germany continued to outperform most other markets in the Index.

After several rounds of informal negotiations, EP negotiators have reached an agreement with the Council's Presidency on a proposed directive on renewable energies including biofuel targets. The compromise still needs to be formally endorsed by the full Council and put to a first-reading vote at Parliament's December plenary session in Strasbourg.

In the EU27, 93% of enterprises of ten or more persons employed had access to the internet in January 2008, the same as in January 2007, and 81% of enterprises had a broadband internet connection, up from 77% in January 2007. On average in the EU27, 64% of enterprises had a website in January 2008, compared with 63% in January 2007.

Online job availability across the EU declined compared to a year earlier for the first time since the inception of the Monster Employment Index Europe in December 2004, ending a four-year growth streak.

If a European bank fails, citizens' savings should be guaranteed up to €100,000, said the Economic and Monetary Affairs, endorsing a Commission proposal to raise the deposit guarantee to this amount. The committee also proposed that holders be given faster access to their deposits in emergencies and that a mechanism be established for cross-border cooperation in the event of another economic crisis.

Whether or not they sign economic partnership agreements (EPAs) with the EU, the countries of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP) should not be worse off than under the current system of preferences, says a report adopted by Parliament’s Development Committee on Monday. Flanking measures in the form of aid for trade should be used to help the ACP countries, for example to offset any loss of customs revenue.

The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey of global hiring trends reveals that the pace of hiring is set to slow further in the first quarter of 2009 most notably in Singapore, India and Taiwan. The survey, conducted by Manpower Inc., shows that employers in 25 of 33 countries and territories still expect positive hiring activity in the coming quarter; however, those in 30 say they will slow the pace of hiring from three months ago. Year-over-year hiring forecasts are also weaker in 25 countries and territories; and employers in 21 countries and territories are reporting the weakest hiring plans since the survey was established there by Manpower.

When the Federal Reserve announced its plan to invest up to $600 billion in mortgage backed securities owned by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae, mortgage interest rates dropped to their lowest point since February 2008. However, few borrowers may actually qualify for these savings. In addition to tighter lending standards and declining home values, borrowers are also being plagued by the nation's credit reporting system.