United States Department of Labor:Request for Information

U.S. Department of Labor October 23, 2020 Request for Information U.S. Department of Labor published a request for information on combating race and sex stereotyping in training for federal contractors and subcontractors. Building a Future That Works To celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Office of Disability Employment Policy hosted a discussion with tech experts and industry leaders on accessible technology that can help build a future that works for all Americans. OSHA Citations OSHA has cited 112 establishments for coronavirus-related violations this year. COVID-19 UPDATES AND RESOURCES FAQ: OSHA has updated its frequently asked questions to address how N95 respirators protect against coronavirus exposure. Release: A Kansas county has agreed to pay back wages to an employee wrongly denied coronavirus-related paid leave. Release: A Kansas hotel has paid back wages for wrongly denying paid sick leave to 13 employees who tested positive for the coronavirus. Release: The operator of a Montana facility for people with disabilities has paid back wages to an employee wrongly denied coronavirus-related paid sick leave. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT National Apprenticeship Week This year, National Apprenticeship Week will run Nov. 8-14. Use our toolkits to plan and promote an event. Fraud Sentence A federal court has sentenced two executives for multiple Kentucky healthcare-related companies to prison for fraud and ordered them to pay nearly $1.6 million in joint restitution. Fraud Case A federal court has sentenced a Kentucky woman to prison and ordered her to pay $838,804 in restitution after investigators found she committed benefit plan fraud. Wages Restored A California flooring contractor will pay $99,624 in back wages for overtime violations and $50,881 in penalties for willful violations. Safety Improvements Target Corp. has agreed to correct exit access and storage hazards and enhance worker safety at about 200 stores. Record Compliance Assistance The Department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs had the best year for compliance assistance and the second-highest year for monetary settlements during fiscal year 2020. Conciliation Agreement The Department has reached a settlement with a federal beverage contractor to resolve allegations of hiring discrimination at a Texas facility. Discrimination Resolution The University of Connecticut will pay $249,539 to resolve alleged pay discrimination following a Department review. STAT OF THE WEEK Jobs Increased in 41 States Payroll employment increased in 41 states in September, with 30 states seeing significant job gains, according to data released this week by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE HIGHLIGHT Union Members’ Bill of Rights A new video highlights the Union Members’ Bill of Rights, which Congress created in 1959 to protect union members. (by MARIA CHADZIDAKIS VAVOURANAKIS,journalist- writer, professional blogger e-mail politikimx@gmail.com)

U.S. Commercial Service :The Economic and Financial Outlook in Asia 2021

 

"The Economic and Financial Outlook in Asia 2021" During the webinar, U.S. companies will learn about opportunities and trends in Asia’s financial services sector from Johanna Chua, Managing Director, Head of Asia Pacific Economic and Market Analysis at Citigroup in Hong Kong and Henri Arslanian, Fintech & Crypto Leader, Asia, PwC Hong Kong. U.S. companies will also hear from the organizers of the Asian Financial Forum (AFF) scheduled to be held in person in Hong Kong and virtually on January 18-19, 2021.  The AFF is one of Asia's leading annual financial and investment events that brings together more than 3,500 financial and business leaders each year. Please note, advance registration to this webinar is required to receive log-in instructions for this webinar as space is limited.   Register Here - October 29, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. ET

Participants must register. There is no fee for the webinar. Contact Peter.Sexton@trade.gov (by MARIA CHADZIDAKIS VAVOURANAKIS,journalist- writer, professional blogger e-mail politikimx@gmail.com)

Council of the EU:Five facts about the EU's goal of climate neutrality | Read our digital story

 

Council of the European Union General Secretariat

5 facts about the EU's goal of climate neutrality Every day, we are seeing the growing impact of climate change. Fighting it is imperative for the future of Europe and of the world.      In 2019, EU leaders endorsed the objective of achieving a climate-neutral EU by 2050. This followed the commitments made by the EU and its member states on signing the Paris Agreement in 2015.  What does climate neutrality mean and how will the EU achieve this goal while promoting the wellbeing of its citizens? Here are five facts you need to know about the EU’s climate ambitions. Read our digital story (by MARIA CHADZIDAKIS VAVOURANAKIS,journalist- writer, professional blogger e-mail politikimx@gmail.com)

IMF BLOG:"Emerging and Frontier Markets: Policy Tools in Times of Financial Stress"

 

The latest IMF analysis of global economics, finance, development and policy issues shaping the world //

Dear maria, We just published a new blog—please find the full text below. Translations coming soon. IMF Monetary and Capital Markets Department Director Tobias Adrian and Deputy Director Fabio Natalucci discuss the analytical chapters of the latest Global Financial Stability Report, including the impact of COVID-19 on the banking system. Watch the live event here.   Emerging and Frontier Markets: Policy Tools in Times of Financial Stress By Dimitris Drakopoulos, Rohit Goel, Fabio Natalucci, and Evan Papageorgiou After the unprecedented hit to economic activity in emerging market economies from the COVID-19 pandemic, their economic output is projected to shrink by 3.3 percent in 2020. Central banks across emerging markets responded swiftly and forcefully with an unprecedented response of their own. They did this by using a variety of policy tools and, to a great extent, helped stabilize markets and keep them functioning. Nearly all central banks cut rates, most of them intervened in currency markets, and about half of them cut reserve requirements for banks, which provided liquidity to the financial system and eased credit conditions. And some 20 emerging market central banks for the first time launched quantitative easing —formally known as asset purchase programs—by buying government and private sector debt to alleviate stress and help keep markets functioning. Our recent analysis in the Global Financial Stability Report [link to ch 2] shows these asset purchase programs have generally proven effective, including by helping to stabilize local financial markets.   Quantitative easing—a first for emerging markets The motivation for quantitative easing by emerging market central banks varied across countries. As shown in the chart below, these asset purchases can be grouped into 3 main policy objectives. First, central banks with policy rates well above zero tended to use asset purchases as a tool to improve bond market functioning (India, South Africa, Philippines). Second, central banks with policy rates closer to the “zero-lower bound” (Chile, Poland, Hungary) partially sought a course similar to advanced economy central banks, where they used quantitative easing to ease financial conditions and provide additional monetary stimulus, as well as for market functioning and liquidity objectives. And, third, some central banks explicitly stated that one of their objectives was to temporarily ease government financing pressure in the face of the pandemic (Ghana, Guatemala, Indonesia, and the Philippines).   Did asset purchases work? After almost 6 months of quantitative easing in action, our analysis suggests that these purchases had a generally positive impact on local financial markets. Importantly, this was the case even when accounting for policy rate cuts, additional large-scale asset purchases by the Federal Reserve, and the strong rebound in global risk appetite. In particular, asset purchases by emerging market central banks helped lower government bond yields without seeing accompanying depreciations in local currencies. They also gradually helped lower local market stress.   An expanding policy toolkit Beyond the current pandemic, the positive experience with asset purchases may motivate more emerging market central banks to consider unconventional monetary policy as a key part of their policy toolkit, especially when conventional policy space is limited. Asset purchases may be suitable for some central banks, depending on the market conditions they face, and their ability to implement them successfully. But policymakers should consider both the benefits and potential significant costs of quantitative easing. If asset purchases—especially if large-scale and open-ended—are used regularly in the future, then several risks may arise: institutional and central bank credibility may be weakened; capital outflow pressure may intensify, especially in countries with weaker fundamentals; and concerns about fiscal dominance may arise among investors. These risks need to be weighed before central banks embark on a shift in their policies and their implementation. More work to do To sum up, emerging market asset purchase programs can be helpful, but further evaluation is needed as more data become available on their effectiveness, especially if these purchases continue. A few lessons are already emerging: Asset purchases appear to be more effective when used jointly as part of a broader macroeconomic policy package. Transparency and clear communication are crucial to minimize risks to the credibility of central banks with asset purchases—especially in countries with weaker institutional frameworks. In most cases, asset purchase programs should be limited in time and scale and should be linked to clear objectives. Finally, purchases should preferably be made in secondary markets, as purchases in the primary market or at below market rates can affect the process of determining the fair price of bonds. Primary market purchases can also raise concerns that central banks will sacrifice their price stability mandated objective in order to finance the government (fiscal dominance).  ***** Thank you again for your interest in IMF Blog. Take good care, Glenn Gottselig Blog Editor, IMF GGottselig@IMF.org (by MARIA CHADZIDAKIS VAVOURANAKIS,journalist- writer, professional blogger e-mail politikimx@gmail.com)

ΝΙΚΟΣ ΑΝΔΡΟΥΛΑΚΗΣ,ΚΙΝ.ΑΛ.:Ίσως ο πιο δύσκολος χειμώνας της γενιάς μας

 

Ίσως ο πιο δύσκολος χειμώνας της γενιάς μας Άρθρο του Νίκου Ανδρουλάκη στο iefimerida.gr Μια ματιά μόνο στον χάρτη του Ευρωπαϊκού Κέντρου Πρόληψης και Ελέγχου Νόσων (ECDC), αρκεί για να σχηματίσουμε μια αποκαρδιωτική εικόνα. Η ΕΕ έχει μπει για τα καλά στο δεύτερο κύμα της πανδημίας, αναγκάζοντας τα κράτη να λάβουν αποφάσεις επανεπιβολής μέτρων, καθώς τα κρούσματα και οι εισαγωγές στις μονάδες εντατικής θεραπείας έχουν ξεφεύγει από τον έλεγχο. Στο Βέλγιο, η κατάσταση επιδεινώθηκε ραγδαία, με τις μολύνσεις να φτάνουν σήμερα τις 13.227, όταν  τρεις εβδομάδες πριν ήταν κάτω από 3.000. Οι νεκροί κυμαίνονται ημερησίως μεταξύ 30 και 50, ακολουθώντας την αυξητική τάση των εισαγωγών στις ΜΕΘ. Τάση, η οποία οδήγησε τις αρχές να ανεβάσουν το όριο των διαθέσιμων ΜΕΘ για COVID-19, αφού η ανεπάρκεια σε κλίνες ανάγκαζε να μεταφέρονται ασθενείς από τις Βρυξέλλες σε άλλες πόλεις της περιφέρειας. Η 1η Οκτωβρίου βρήκε το Βέλγιο μπροστά σε μια παραδοξότητα. Ενώ εμφάνιζε 2.607 νέα κρούσματα, την ίδια μέρα τίθονταν σε εφαρμογή η χαλάρωση του μέτρου χρήσης μάσκας στους εξωτερικούς χώρους. Παράλληλα, ο συνωστισμός σε μπαρ, καφέ και εστιατόρια, ακύρωνε στην πράξη την όποια συνολικότερη προσπάθεια γινόταν.  Ως αποτέλεσμα της παραδοξότητας αυτής, ήταν η έκρηξη της μετάδοσης η οποία και υπαγόρευσε τελικά τη λήψη σκληρών περιοριστικών μέτρων για την περαιτέρω συγκράτηση της εξάπλωσης του ιού. Ήδη, η ζωή στην πόλη έχει τραβήξει χειρόφρενο, με τα καταστήματά εστίασης να είναι κλειστά, όπως και πολλά takeaway εξαιτίας της μειωμένης ζήτησης λόγω τηλεργασίας. Την ίδια στιγμή, η παρακολούθηση της πανδημίας στο Βέλγιο, απαιτεί τη διενέργεια τόσων πολλών τεστ PCR ημερησίως που φέρνουν το σύστημα στα όριά του. Ακόμη και τα 50-60.000 καθημερινά τεστ δεν επαρκούν για να καλύψουν τη ζήτηση ούτε των μονάδων υγείας, αλλά ούτε και όσων θέλουν να ταξιδέψουν. Και αυτό συνέβη, γιατί δίνονταν η δυνατότητα να έχουν πρόσβαση σε μοριακά τεστ ασυμπτωματικοί πολίτες που είτε είχαν κάποια ύποπτη επαφή ή απλώς ανησυχούσαν. Έτσι, εκτοξεύθηκε ο χρόνος έκδοσης των αποτελεσμάτων στις 4-5 ημέρες, ακυρώνοντας με αυτόν τον τρόπο τη χρησιμότητά τους, αλλά και δυσχεραίνοντας  τον προγραμματισμό ταξιδιών προς χώρες που ζητούν υποχρεωτικό μοριακό τεστ 72 ωρών, όπως η Ελλάδα. Δυστυχώς, σήμερα, βρισκόμαστε ενώπιον μιας πολύ δύσκολης κατάστασης. Σε μια χώρα που πλήρωσε τόσο βαρύ φόρο αίματος με 10000 νεκρούς στο πρώτο κύμα της πανδημίας, οι θάνατοι αυξάνονται ξανά με τραγικό τρόπο και η οικονομία οδηγείται σε lockdown πολύ βίαια και πολύ νωρίτερα από ό,τι περίμεναν οι αρχές.  Αν δεν θέλουμε, λοιπόν, οι εικόνες του Βελγίου να γίνουν προβολές από το δικό μας μέλλον, πρέπει να σοβαρευτούμε. Να σταματήσει το λιβάνισμα για το πόσο καλά τα πήγαμε στο πρώτο κύμα και να σταματήσουν οι άστοχες κυβερνητικές δηλώσεις που δημιούργησαν την αίσθηση μιας επίπλαστης ασφάλειας που ήθελαν αρχές του χειμώνα να έχουμε διαθέσιμο το εμβόλιο, που βέβαια, ακόμη και αυτό αν συνέβαινε, τα ευεργετήματα του δεν θα ήταν άμεσα. Επιπλέον, οι δημόσιες συμπεριφορές πολιτικών προσώπων, που χαϊδεύουν είτε αυτούς που νιώθουν άτρωτοι, είτε αυτούς που δεν πιστεύουν στον ιό, δημιουργούν περαιτέρω σύγχυση. Οι μάσκες - αλεξίπτωτα που μοιράστηκαν στα σχολεία, δείχνουν την έλλειψη προετοιμασίας ακόμα και για απλά πράγματα. Το μήνυμα πρέπει να είναι ξεκάθαρο από όλους μας. Ο χειμώνας που έρχεται θα είναι ο δυσκολότερος της γενιάς μας, και ίσως ο δυσκολότερος της γενιάς των γονιών μας.  Η κυβέρνηση πρέπει να συνειδητοποιήσει ότι δεν είναι δυνατόν απλώς να ανακοινώνει μέτρα, αλλά πρέπει αυτά να είναι υλοποιήσιμα και αποτελεσματικά. Τα λογικά και ξεκάθαρα μέτρα ενισχύουν την εμπιστοσύνη και η αξιοκρατική εφαρμογή τους ενισχύει τη συλλογική προσπάθεια. Με αυτό τον τρόπο, έχουμε το βέλτιστο αποτέλεσμα ενώ επιπλέον απομονώνονται όλοι όσοι προσεγγίζουν συνωμοσιολογικά αυτή την παγκόσμια περιπέτεια.  Δίνουμε μια μάχη με το χρόνο, το αποτέλεσμα της οποίας σε μεγάλο βαθμό θα κριθεί από την υπευθυνότητα όλων μας. Απαιτείται όμως, συντονισμένη και συνεχής προσπάθεια για να καταφέρουμε να προστατεύσουμε το υπέρτατο αγαθό της ανθρώπινης ζωής. Να πετύχουμε τον κυρίαρχο στόχο μας που δεν είναι άλλος από την προστασία της υγείας των συνανθρώπων μας, εξασφαλίζοντας παράλληλα τις αναγκαίες συνθήκες συνέχισης της οικονομικής δραστηριότητας για να μην ακολουθήσει της πανδημίας ένα κύμα οικονομικής ύφεσης που θα φέρει τους πιο αδύναμους συμπολίτες μας σε ακόμα δυσμενέστερη κατάσταση. Νίκος Ανδρουλάκης - Ευρωβουλευτής ΠΑΣΟΚ - Μέλος S&D www.androulakisnikos.gr

ΚΥΡΙΑΚΟΥ ΜΗΤΣΟΤΑΚΗ,ΠΡΩΘΥΠΟΥΡΓΟΥ ΤΩΝ ΕΛΛΗΝΩΝ πρόσφατη δραστηριότητα..

Ενημερωτικό σημείωμα για τη σύσκεψη υπό τον Πρωθυπουργό με την ηγεσία του Υπουργείου Εσωτερικών, της Επιτροπής «Ελλάδα 2021» και της ΚΕΔΕ, μ...23 Οκτωβρίου 2020



Μήνυμα του Πρωθυπουργού Κυριάκου Μητσοτάκη προς τους πολίτες για το δεύτερο κύμα της πανδημίας
22 Οκτωβρίου 2020
Συμπολίτες μου, Επικοινωνώ και πάλι μαζί σας, καθώς το δεύτερο κύμα της πανδημίας βρίσκεται σε επιθετική έξαρση. Παντού στην Ευρώπη, αλλά πλέον και εδώ στην Ελλάδα. Οφείλω να παρουσιάσω την κατάσταση με απόλυτη ειλικρίνεια. Να επισημάνω ...


Ενημερωτικό σημείωμα για την τηλεδιάσκεψη του Πρωθυπουργού Κυριάκου Μητσοτάκη με τους 13 Περιφερειάρχες της χώρας
22 Οκτωβρίου 2020
Στενότερη συνεργασία με την κεντρική διοίκηση και πιο ενεργό ρόλο των Περιφερειών για την αντιμετώπιση της πανδημίας ζήτησε ο Πρωθυπουργός στη διάρκεια της τηλεδιάσκεψης που είχε με τους 13 Περιφερειάρχες της χώρας. «Αυτό που θέλω να τον...

(by MARIA CHADZIDAKIS VAVOURANAKIS,journalist- writer, professional blogger e-mail politikimx@gmail.com)

KREMLIN's latest:"Meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club""Meeting on economic matters""Meeting with members of the Board of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs"

Meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club

see video:http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/64261#

Vladimir Putin took part, via videoconference, in the final plenary session of the 17th Annual Meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club.
October 22, 2020
20:15
Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region

Meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club

This year’s theme is The Lessons of the Pandemic and the New Agenda: How to Turn the World Crisis Into an Opportunity for the World. The meeting was traditionally attended by politicians, experts, journalists and public figures from Russia and other countries. The plenary session’s moderator was Fyodor Lukyanov, Research Director of the Valdai International Discussion Club.

* * *

Fyodor Lukyanov: Friends,

Guests of the Valdai Club,

I am delighted to welcome you to the final session of the 17th annual meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club. It is my special honour and pleasure to welcome our traditional guest for our final meetings, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues, friends,

Participants of the 17th plenary meeting of the Valdai Club,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to welcome you all to our traditional annual meeting. We are meeting in an unusual format this time; we are videoconferencing. But I can see there are also people in the room. Not as many as usual of course, but nevertheless there are people present, and, apparently, you have had an in-person discussion, and I am delighted that you have.

We are certainly aware, we can see that the coronavirus epidemic has seriously affected public, business, and international affairs. More than that – it has affected everyone’s routine rhythm of life.

Almost all countries had to impose various restrictions, and large public gatherings have been largely cancelled. This year has been challenging for your Club as well. Most importantly, though, you continue to work. With the help of remote technology, you conduct heated and meaningful debates, discuss things, and bring in new experts who share their opinions and present interesting outside-the-box, sometimes even opposing, views on current developments. Such an exchange is, of course, very important and useful now that the world is facing so many challenges that need to be resolved.

Thus, we still have to understand how the epidemic affected and will continue to affect the present and future of humanity. As it confronts this dangerous threat, the international community is trying to take certain actions and to mobilize itself. Some things are already being done as collaborative efforts, but I want to note straight away that this is only a fraction of what needs to be done in the face of this formidable common challenge. These missed opportunities are also a subject for a candid international discussion.

ICAP GROUP:Ο Gikas Hardouvelis, θα μιλήσει στο συνέδριο Credit Risk Management...

 

Ο Gikas Hardouvelis, θα μιλήσει στο συνέδριο Credit Risk Management για την επίδραση του Covid 19 στην Ελληνική Οικονομία.

Περισσότερα: https://zcu.io/Cs5T

#icap #CreditRiskManagement #covid19 #GreekEconomy