ＮＨＫ、免職職員は再雇用せず 新ルール決める

ＮＨＫ、免職職員は再雇用せず　新ルール決める

2008年8月26日23時33分

　懲戒処分を受けたＮＨＫ職員が関連団体などに相次いで再雇用されていた問題で、ＮＨＫは２６日、懲戒免職と諭旨免職処分を受けた職員を再雇用しないことなど、再雇用のルールを決めた。理事６人程度で構成する再雇用検討委員会を同日に設置し、依願退職した職員については、検討委が再雇用の妥当性を審査し、最終的に福地茂雄会長が判断するという。関連団体には、その判断結果を順守するよう要請する。

　免職以外の「重い処分」を受け、処分後も勤務し続けた職員については、早期退職後に関連団体に行く場合にのみケース・バイ・ケースで判断するとしている。定年退職した職員は対象外。委員会の開催日や審査経過などは公表しないという。

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メール１通で婚約破棄　慰謝料３０万、女性逆転勝訴　仙台高裁
2008.8.26 22:52

　メール１通で婚約を一方的に破棄したのは不当などとして、盛岡市の女性（５７）が岩手県内の男性（５７）に２００万円の慰謝料を求めた訴訟の控訴審判決で、仙台高裁は２６日、請求を棄却した１審盛岡地裁判決を取り消し、男性に３０万円の支払いを命じた。

　小野貞夫裁判長は「メールで一方的に婚約破棄を通告した」とした上で「女性に感じた違和感を本人に伝えて善処を求めるなどのコミュニケーションを取ろうともせず、いきなり１通のメールで突き放したというべきで正当な理由があるとはいえない」と指摘。女性に精神的苦痛が生じたと認めた。

　判決などによると、男性と女性は昨年２月に婚約。男性は婚姻の意思がなくなり、同年５月に「一人の方が気楽。大変勝手なのですがおつきあいはやめさせてください」とのメールを送った。

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Why I had to recognise Georgia’s breakaway regions

By Dmitry Medvedev

Published: August 26 2008 18:48 | Last updated: August 26 2008 18:48

On Tuesday Russia recognised the independence of the territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. It was not a step taken lightly, or without full consideration of the consequences. But all possible outcomes had to be weighed against a sober understanding of the situation – the histories of the Abkhaz and Ossetian peoples, their freely expressed desire for independence, the tragic events of the past weeks and inter­national precedents for such a move.

Not all of the world’s nations have their own statehood. Many exist happily within boundaries shared with other nations. The Russian Federation is an example of largely harmonious coexistence by many dozens of nations and nationalities. But some nations find it impossible to live under the tutelage of another. Relations between nations living “under one roof” need to be handled with the utmost sensitivity.

After the collapse of communism, Russia reconciled itself to the “loss” of 14 former Soviet republics, which became states in their own right, even though some 25m Russians were left stranded in countries no longer their own. Some of those nations were un­able to treat their own minorities with the respect they deserved. Georgia immediately stripped its “autonomous regions” of Abkhazia and South Ossetia of their autonomy.

Can you imagine what it was like for the Abkhaz people to have their university in Sukhumi closed down by the Tbilisi government on the grounds that they allegedly had no proper language or history or culture and so did not need a university? The newly independent Georgia inflicted a vicious war on its minority nations, displacing thousands of people and sowing seeds of discontent that could only grow. These were tinderboxes, right on Russia’s doorstep, which Russian peacekeepers strove to keep from igniting.

But the west, ignoring the delicacy of the situation, unwittingly (or wittingly) fed the hopes of the South Ossetians and Abkhazians for freedom. They clasped to their bosom a Georgian president, Mikheil Saakashvili, whose first move was to crush the autonomy of another region, Adjaria, and made no secret of his intention to squash the Ossetians and Abkhazians.

Meanwhile, ignoring Russia’s warnings, western countries rushed to recognise Kosovo’s illegal declaration of independence from Serbia. We argued consistently that it would be impossible, after that, to tell the Abkhazians and Ossetians (and dozens of other groups around the world) that what was good for the Kosovo Albanians was not good for them. In international relations, you cannot have one rule for some and another rule for others.

Seeing the warning signs, we persistently tried to persuade the Georgians to sign an agreement on the non-use of force with the Ossetians and Abkhazians. Mr Saakashvili refused. On the night of August 7-8 we found out why.

Only a madman could have taken such a gamble. Did he believe Russia would stand idly by as he launched an all-out assault on the sleeping city of Tskhinvali, murdering hundreds of peaceful civilians, most of them Russian citizens? Did he believe Russia would stand by as his “peacekeeping” troops fired on Russian comrades with whom they were supposed to be preventing trouble in South Ossetia?

Russia had no option but to crush the attack to save lives. This was not a war of our choice. We have no designs on Georgian territory. Our troops entered Georgia to destroy bases from which the attack was launched and then left. We restored the peace but could not calm the fears and aspirations of the South Ossetian and Abkhazian peoples – not when Mr Saakashvili continued (with the complicity and encouragement of the US and some other Nato members) to talk of rearming his forces and reclaiming “Georgian territory”. The presidents of the two republics appealed to Russia to recognise their independence.

A heavy decision weighed on my shoulders. Taking into account the freely expressed views of the Ossetian and Abkhazian peoples, and based on the principles of the United Nations charter and other documents of international law, I signed a decree on the Russian Federation’s recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. I sincerely hope that the Georgian people, to whom we feel historic friendship and sympathy, will one day have leaders they deserve, who care about their country and who develop mutually respectful relations with all the peoples in the Caucasus. Russia is ready to support the achievement of such a goal.

The writer is president of the Russian Federation

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Alarm at Russian ‘policy of confrontation’

By James Blitz in London, Daniel Dombey in Washington and Tony Barber in Brussels

Published: August 26 2008 19:47 | Last updated: August 26 2008 23:38

The Russian president Dmitry Medvedev’s decision to recognise the Georgian rebel regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia was widely condemned in western capitals, with many governments calling it a blatant breach of international law.

The question facing the US and its allies is how to respond in a firm, unified way that avoids further escalation of the dispute. At stake is co-operation on topics such as Iran, Afghanistan and counter-terrorism.

Even as Washington warns Moscow that it faces political and economic “consequences” for its actions, the US has sought to avoid any clash on the soil of Georgia itself.

Officials in the US have suggested that Russia may face tough reviews on investment in the US, as well as broader economic penalties.

But the US embassy in Tbilisi has retracted a statement that US warships bearing humanitarian aid intend to dock at Poti, a Russian-controlled port in Georgian territory, according to reports. Given Moscow’s intense suspicions about the US vessels, any encounter between US and Russian forces could have been tense.

Russia has for more than two weeks been heavily criticised by western powers for its actions in Georgia and its refusal to withdraw troops completely, despite signing a ceasefire agreement. But the decision to recognise South Ossetia and Abkhazia, in effect redrawing the map of Georgia in an instant, was seen by many governments as a worrying sign that Russia is taking an even harder foreign policy stance than had been thought.

As Carl Bildt, the Swedish foreign minister, put it: “That the Russian government leadership now has chosen this route means they have chosen a policy of confrontation, not only with the rest of Europe, but also with the international community in general.”

The Russian leadership clearly feels yesterday’s decision is justified. But Mr Medvedev argues in an FT article on Wednesday that the west’s decision to recognise the breakaway province of Kosovo this year was the precursor to Russia’s move on Abkhazia and Ossetia. “In international relations, you cannot have one rule for some and another rule for others.”

Western diplomats counter that Russia can no longer argue that it sent troops into Georgia on a humanitarian mission, and that its argument that its own restive provinces – such as Chechnya – must remain part of Russia is weakened.

Tomas Valdasek of the London-based Centre for European Reform, said: “The Russians have gone overboard. You can always count on them to overplay their hand and that is what you see here.”

Russia’s move is likely to trigger an outbreak of unity among European Union leaders in condemning Russia when they meet for an emergency summit next week.

The summit is likely to see the EU ditch any idea of forging a partnership and co-operation agreement with Russia. But France and Germany are thought unlikely to press for Georgia to enter Nato as the Bush administration has been demanding.

US officials are also looking at a series of internationally concerted steps to give the message that Russia will pay a price for its actions. “We can’t allow what Russia has done to go without consequences [but] we have not yet determined those consequences,” said a state department spokesman.

“We are not trying to escalate anything.” Diplomats acknowledge that they will soon have to work with Moscow on restricting Iran’s nuclear programme.

Russia also shows signs of wanting to calibrate its approach to the west.

Although it scaled back contacts with Nato yesterday, Russia’s move did not include a ban on Nato’s use of Russian land to supply non-military equipment to its forces in Afghanistan.

“The position of our country’s leadership is that Afghanistan is a shared problem,” said Dmitry Rogozin, Russia’s ambassador to Nato.

Still, while some may try to rein in the consequences of the Georgia crisis, the damage is already extensive.

Most military co-operation between Russia and Nato has been shelved. The prospect of Russia joining the World Trade Organisation is all but dead. In Washington, meanwhile, officials say that an ambitious US-Russian plan for greater civil nuclear co-operation has been frozen.

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Tax ruling to bring windfall for Rank

By Vanessa Houlder

Published: August 26 2008 19:19 | Last updated: August 26 2008 19:19

A £25m windfall is on the cards for Rank, the gaming business, after a tribunal said that Revenue & Customs had been inconsistent in the way it levied value added tax on slot machines.

The case concerned variations in the tax treatment of “one-arm bandits”, the coin-operated machines that randomly generate cash pay-outs. Before 2005, when the government revised the rules, some of these machines were exempt from VAT depending on whether or not the “random number generator”, which determines the outcome of the game, was located on the machine or separately.

The VAT and Duties Tribunal agreed with Rank’s arguments that the inconsistent tax treatment of the machines breached European Union rules on “fiscal neutrality”. This bans governments from treating similar services differently for VAT purposes. Rank has submitted a claim for repayment of up to £25m of overdeclared VAT between 2003 and 2005 on gaming machines in its Mecca Bingo clubs and Grosvenor Casinos.

Deloitte, which advised Rank, said the ruling could affect other gaming machine operators, which may also be able to claim tax refunds.

But the interim decision will be followed by more litigation this year and the case is highly likely to be referred to the European Court of Justice. Rank welcomed the decision but noted it was “unlikely that there would be any material benefit to Rank in the current year”.

Revenue & Customs said it was inappropriate to comment on a preliminary ruling. “We will consider the overall findings on the conclusion of all the related hearings, with a view to deciding whether or not to appeal,” it said.

The case follows a similar ruling in May on mechanised cash bingo, which is played in the intervals of bingo games. Rank may recoup £36m in overpaid VAT under this case, which will be subject to an appeal.

Both cases were influenced by a recent ECJ ruling, in which a German amusement arcade operator successfully challenged variations in the tax treatment of slot machines depending on whether or not they were located within a casino.

The Revenue faced a flood of claims from British businesses in the wake of this case, known as “Linnewebber”, although it insisted there were no parallels. It opted to limit its potential exposure in 2005 by making all machines taxable.

At the Tribunal, the Revenue said it acted with due diligence by amending the law once it became aware of disparities. The tribunal said this matter might have to be referred to the ECJ.

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Credit crisis takes toll on London

By Brooke Masters in London

Published: August 26 2008 17:49 | Last updated: August 26 2008 18:58

Eighteen months ago, the City was riding high. Companies flocked from across the world to take advantage of London’s principles-based regulation and wide investor base. The mood on Wall Street was more embattled. The subprime mortgage market was showing signs of strain and three separate commissions were bemoaning a loss of US competitiveness in financial services.

What a change the credit crunch has wrought.

Both financial districts are suffering through tens of thousands of job losses and are wary their cash-strapped governments will impose new taxes. Initial public offerings have fallen off a cliff and each country has experienced a high-profile financial failure – the UK’s Northern Rock and Bear Stearns in the US.

But London seems to have endured more, perhaps because it had more to lose.

“The brand of London has taken a hammering because of Northern Rock,” says Tim Linacre, chief executive of Panmure Gordon, a London stockbroker that also has a large US presence. “I don’t think it is terminal, but London needs to be absolutely on its toes.”

Meanwhile, New Yorkers are trying not to say “I told you so” now that financial woes have spread worldwide. They also are touting the benefits of tight regulation, saying that, with volatile markets, many investors value watchful regulators, tight listing standards and the right to sue.

“What Northern Rock demonstrates is that a business-friendly regulatory system may have its disadvantages as well,” says Kathryn Wylde, president of the Partnership for New York City, a business group.

New York, which has an inherent advantage because of the size of its domestic market, has always dominated equity trading and this year it extended its lead.

In the first six months of this year, nearly $25,000bn (£13,596bn) worth of shares changed hands on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, up 18 per cent on the same period last year. Trading on the London Stock Exchange dropped 29 per cent to £4,000bn, according to the World Federation of Exchanges.

New York also remains the undisputed leader for alternative investments. Roughly one of every six private equity professionals, or more than 13,200 people, is based in New York compared with 7,100 in London, according to Prequin, an intelligence service.

The number of hedge funds worth more than $1bn located in New York rose from 123 last year to 144 this year, and their collective assets jumped from $650bn to $973bn, according to Hedge Fund Intelligence. London remains a distant second. It added just two new large funds year on year and now has 75 $1bn funds managing $348bn.

But London continues to be the exchange of choice when companies look to list outside their home country. According to the LSE, 22 foreign companies have listed on its exchanges so far this year, compared with nine for NYSE and Nasdaq combined. And Harvard professor Hal Scott found that only 1.6 per cent of foreign IPOs worldwide went to the US in the first quarter, down from an average of 29 per cent in the years 1996 to 2006.

Some of this decline reflects the fact that the US economy began struggling before Europe, but Mr Scott argues that US competitiveness continues to erode: “We’re fighting for a declining share of a smaller pie.”

London also leads New York in the Global Financial Centres Index, a twice-yearly ranking of more than 50 cities. But in the last survey, released in March, London slipped significantly, halving its lead over New York, which for the first time pulled ahead in banking.

Analysts attributed the slide to Northern Rock and the imposition of new taxes on non-domiciled residents.

A separate survey by the CBI employers’ group found that 60 per cent of respondents felt London’s competitiveness as a world city was under threat, up from 31 per cent in 2007.

Meanwhile, New York has benefited from a US Supreme Court decision making it harder for investors to win class-action lawsuits and from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s decision to relax some of the most onerous provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley corporate accountability law.

The US regulatory system has not escaped unscathed. The fallout from the subprime market and the collapse of Bear Stearns sparked concern, but they appear to have had less impact on confidence than Northern Rock. The crisis at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which has potentially far more serious consequences, is still a story of Washington politics rather than New York dealing.

But some City analysts fear a regulatory backlash. The Financial Services Authority has insisted it will not allow the crisis to undermine principles-based regulation, but the European Union could also intervene.

“After the credit crunch there will be moves to have more financial regulation and we haven’t got control of it. We handed it over to Brussels,” says Ruth Lea, economic adviser to Arbuthnot Banking Group. “There we are just one voice in 27 and there’s not a lot of sympathy for ‘light-touch’ regulation.”

Yet London has two critical advantages: immigration policies and location.

“New York and London are both going to stay really important, but London has this very unique advantage: its time zone,” says Jim O’Neill, head of global economic research for Goldman Sachs. London can trade and talk easily with Asia, the Middle East and the United States, while they cannot talk to each other.”

The UK also makes it easy for foreigners to visit and work in London, while the US visa process is notoriously difficult.

“London’s advantage has been its great hospitality to foreign entrepreneurs,” says Bradley Fried, chief executive of Investec bank in the UK. “Foreign owners will bring in foreign business.”

In the end, however, the battle may be irrelevant. “London and New York are the global centres and neither is going to pull away from each other unless something goes spectacularly wrong,” says Richard Lambert, director-general at the CBI.

Rupert Hume-Kendall, Merrill Lynch’s global chairman of equity capital markets, adds: “The competition is more driven by the corporate structure of these rival businesses [the exchanges] than by any investor desire. All investors are looking for is liquidity and sharp pricing and they will go wherever that is offered.”

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Mood darkens on both sides of Atlantic

By David Oakley

Published: August 26 2008 17:58 | Last updated: August 26 2008 17:58

The gardens of some bankers have never looked so pristine this summer, or so the joke goes in the City. Thousands of financial professionals have been given gardening leave – fired and then made to work out their notice at home – as problems in the banking world have deepened.

Most bankers agree the mood is growing darker by the moment on both sides of the Atlantic.

“The world is very much inter-linked, and conditions are pretty grim whether it is in London or New York,” says Gary Jenkins, a former banker at Deutsche Bank. “There are just as many people spending more time with their family here as there are in New York.”

He believes the financial problems are likely to get worse. “There is a lot of fragility and uncertainty out there.”

The call from the human resources department is the principal concern. “If you get the call from the sixth floor [where the HR department is based at one of the banks], then you know you’re in trouble,” said another banker. “It really is depressing.”

However, many of the more experienced bankers insist the atmosphere is better than the dark days following the bursting of the internet bubble. Many banks are reluctant to offload too many workers for fear of losing expertise once business picks up again.

“Many people are moved to a different department or part of the bank that has not been so badly affected,” said one trader.

The Centre for Economic Business Research forecasts 11,000 job losses in the City this year, which would mean a 3 per cent fall from the record high of 349,100 workers in the capital’s financial services industry last year. This is lower than the 4.7 per cent drop between 2000 and 2002 after the dotcom crash.

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US could become net exporter while demand for gasoline falls

By Sheila McNulty

Published: August 26 2008 22:31 | Last updated: August 26 2008 22:31

The US could become a net exporter of gasoline by 2010, given shifts in demand, biofuel mandates and growth in alternative vehicle technology, according to a report by Booz & Company, the global management consultancy.

Rising prices have already cooled US gasoline demand. The US transportation department said this month that motorists drove 12.2bn fewer miles in June than a year earlier, the eighth straight month that travel declined.

If gross domestic product decreases and inflation increases, gasoline demand may drop further, the study says. If gasoline remains $4 a gallon – a price it touched in the US this summer – demand could fall by 3 per cent, Booz says. The average price is about $3.70 now.

Also cutting into demand for traditional refined products are rising government mandates for biofuels.

At the same time, refining capacity is rising, with 3m to 4m barrels a day of distillation capacity added from 2003 to 2007. And capacity under construction more than doubled from spring 2007 to spring 2008.

“It has opened up the possibility that the US will become long in gasoline (a net exporter rather than a net importer),’’ Booz says. “This is particularly likely if demand is reduced by an economic slowdown or a recession.” Booz believes gasoline consumption in the US is likely to peak within the next 15 to 20 years.

Longer term, the consultancy notes that new auto technologies, such as plug-in hybrids, may mark “the end of the hydrocarbon era as we know it and usher in the era of electrified transportation’’.

The pace of advancements in battery weight-to-power ratios and reductions in battery costs have been occurring at 5 to 10 per cent a year, the study noted.

For US refiners, it looks increasingly likely demand growth will be in Asia. Tata’s new $2,500 car, introduced amid a growing appetite for vehicles driven by steep economic growth in Asia is likely to bolster conventional fuel demand.

“As never before, the whole industry depends on demand growth in Asia,’’ Booz says.

The possibility that demand in mature markets may slow poses a choice for traditional refiners.

They may have to expand more aggressively into Asia for growth, or delay investments in developed economies, Booz said.

They may also consider investing more in diesel or find a way to play in biofuels, the study suggests.

“Though the golden age is under threat, significant opportunities still beckon for those willing to look at the world differently from in the past,’’ Booz says.

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India's ONGC makes 2.6-bln-dlr bid for Imperial Energy

13 hours ago

NEW DELHI (AFP) — Indian state-run oil giant ONGC announced a 2.6-billion-dollar deal Tuesday to buy Russia-focused Imperial Energy as it seeks new fuel sources to power the country's fast-growing economy.

The bid by India's biggest oil producer, Oil and Natural Gas Corp, or ONGC, for Britain's Imperial Energy offered shareholders a 62 percent premium on the stock price on July 11, the day before the company said it received a takeover approach.

Imperial Energy's directors "intend unanimously to recommend" that shareholders accept the offer" worth 2.6 billion dollars (1.4 billion pounds, 1.7 billion euros), said Imperial Energy executive chairman Peter Levine.

The 12.50 pound-a-share offer by OVL, the overseas arm of ONGC, represented "fair value," said Levine, whom British media reports said could reap at least 80 million pounds for his six percent stake in the company.

Levine founded the oil and gas exploration firm whose energy fields are mainly in the Tomsk region of Western Siberia in 2004.

"Imperial Energy has grown significantly from a pure exploration company and as Imperial Energy moves into the next phase of its development, with production increasing further over the coming years, it makes strategic sense to be part of a larger group," Levine said in a joint company statement.

The purchase would be the biggest ever by ONGC, which has frequently been beaten to the punch by deep-pocketed China as the two countries scour the world for energy supplies to feed their booming economies.

India imports 70 percent of its oil needs.

"The acquisition represents an important addition to OVL's operations," said OVL Managing Director R.S. Butola.

"OVL's financial strength and technical expertise will further enhance the attractive growth potential of the business in the Tomsk region," he said.

It was still uncertain whether China's state-run oil refiner Sinopec would bid for Imperial Energy, which explores for oil and gas in both Russia and in Kazakhstan. Sinopec has indicated it has not yet made up its mind.

The deal needs the approval of Moscow, which has been steadily exercising tighter control over its energy assets.

Some analysts said Russia may have given the agreement its blessing, seeing India as a good fit because of the two countries' close ties during the Cold War years.

"There has been some suggestion that for political reasons, Russia was more comfortable allowing an Indian company to acquire Imperial," said Seema Desai, a London-based analyst at consulting firm Eurasia Group.

The bid trumps the 1.7 billion dollars ONGC paid to acquire a slice of Exxon Mobil's Russian Sakhalin-I field and the 785 million dollars it shelled out for a stake in the Greater Nile project in Sudan, both in 2003.

Imperial Energy has proven reserves of 864 million barrels of oil and 56 million barrels of gas.

It produced about 10,000 barrels of oil per day in December 2007 and aims to raise this to 80,000 barrels per day or four million tons a year by 2011.

"Indians are looking to increase their access to oil basically to fuel their growing economy," said Deepak Lalwani, India director of London-based Astaire and Partners.

"But I think this deal must have some sort of blessing from Russia," he said. "They (ONGC) wouldn't have wasted their time working up to this level -- this involves a lot of money," he said.

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ThyssenKrupp to sell industrial services

By Daniel Schäfer in Frankfurt

Published: August 27 2008 03:00 | Last updated: August 27 2008 03:00

ThyssenKrupp, the German steelmaker and industrial conglomerate, plans to sell most of its industrial services unit, in an attempt to streamline its business and finance further acquisitions.

The industrial services unit reported sales of €1.9bn ($2.8bn) in the last fiscal year and is the smallest of ThyssenKrupp's service businesses.

Ekkehard Schulz, chief executive, said the unit was profitable, but said it was also too small to create synergies with the main businesses of the company.

The unit, which offers services such as the maintenance of factories and is set to be put up for sale by 2009, might attract both strategic and financial investors, Edwin Eichler, head of the services segment, said.

ThyssenKrupp intends to keep only a small part of the unit.

The company is also looking for a strategic minority shareholder to take a 30 to 40 per cent stake in its so-called special products business.

The move forms part of the company's strategy to focus on its areas with the most growth potential.

ThyssenKrupp plans to rapidly expand in its services segment, which mainly consists of material trading, employs 43,000 people and reported sales of €16.7bn last year.

For the whole segment, ThyssenKrupp targeted a pre-tax profit of €1bn in the "foreseeable" future and sales of significantly more than €20bn, Mr Eichler said.

To reach this goal, ThyssenKrupp wants to step up its acquisition plans in its material services unit.

The company wants to invest about €3bn into its services unit in the next years.

This forms one element in a €20bn investment programme the company unveiled a few years ago. The bulk of this investment is flowing into a slab mill in Brazil and a steel plant in the US, producing high-quality steel mainly for the American automobile industry.

Both new sites are still under construction and ThyssenKrupp had twice suffered setbacks with its planned steel slab mill in Brazil, as it had to step up its investment by €1.5bn to €4.5bn.

The steel maker is one of several German basic industrial companies that are still weathering the economic storm in Europe and the US.

Recently, it lifted its profit forecast for the current financial year by 7 per cent as it profited from rapid growth in emerging market countries such as China, India and Russia.

Mr Schulz said ThyssenKrupp would also announce some adjustments in its steel and capital goods segments during the coming months.

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Nationalizations scaring investors away from Venezuela: analysts
AFP
By Ramon Sahmkow AFP - Tuesday, August 26 07:39 pm

CARACAS (AFP) - The recent nationalizations of strategic sectors in Venezuela are frightening away foreign companies and turning the country into South America's worst destination for foreign investment, analysts say.
(Advertisement)

President Hugo Chavez's decision to take over electricity, oil, steelmaking, cement and telephone enterprises over the past year may strengthen the "revolutionary" drive towards building a socialist nation, but it also drives off multinationals which have the funds to boost economic activity.

Several groups, notably US energy companies ExxonMobil and ConocoPhilips, have simply abandoned operations there.

Others, such as cement makers LaFarge of France and Holcim of Switzerland, have quietly accepted discounted compensation for their expropriated Venezuelan subsidiaries.

On Monday, Venezuela's government said it was resuming negotiations with the Mexican cement group Cemex in an effort to reach a settlement over its seized subsidiary.

The state domination of the country's economy -- which also extends to controls on prices and foreign currency exchanges that limit corporate competition and profitability -- is severely dampening investment from outside, the analysts say.

"Foreign investment should be at least three percent of gross domestic product, around six billion dollars. We're only at 10 percent of that figure," one economist, Orlando Ochoa, told AFP.

According to the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), direct foreign investment in Venezeula amounted to 400 million dollars last year -- the lowest amount recorded for any country in South America.

In comparison, neighboring Colombia had investment of 8.2 billion dollars, and Brazil had 37.4 billion dollars.

In fact, out of a list of 34 countries evaluated by UNCTAD, Venezuela comes second-last, only above Hungary, in terms of direct foreign investment.

Experts say the wave expropriations have left a sense of legal insecurity for companies, making them feel their investments are vulnerable.

The biggest companies left in the country are subsidiaries of the food groups Nestle of Switzerland and Cargill of the United States, Spanish telephone company Movistar, the US pharmaceutical groups Pfizer and Merck, the US automobile giant General Motors, and the Spanish bank Banco Bilbao Vizcaya, according to Venezuela's National Investment Promotions Council.

For Luis Vicente Leon, head of the Datanalisis polling firm, foreign corporate chiefs "develop investments with a view to expected returns and to being protected in terms of being able to repatriate the capital and to generate profits in the future."

In Venezuela, "the companies are exposed to the risk that the state could at any time declare them a public utility, and take them over or buy them," he said.

Companies looking to invest in Venezuela also take into account the country risk evaluation, which according to finance ministry data has risen to 648 points -- more than double that attributed to Brazil or Colombia, and the worst level of any South American country except Argentina.

But some in the country see a positive side to the changing business environment.

Alejandro Uzcategui, president of Venezuela's Business Leaders' Federation, said the exit of some international companies has left an opportunity for others to take their place.

"One group of transnationals are going away so another group of transnationals come in," he said, noting investment projects Venezuela is planning with Iran, Belarus, Argentina and Brazil.

Ochoa, though, dismissed those ventures as purely "symbolic" and asserted they would make no impact on investment levels in the country.

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09年度税制改正要望固まる　証券・住宅減税など焦点

　各省庁の2009年度の税制改正要望が、26日ほぼ固まった。国土交通省が要求する省エネルギー性能に優れた住宅への税優遇や、金融庁が求める株式投資の一部の配当金を非課税にする優遇策の新設など景気の押し上げ効果を狙った減税措置が認められるかが焦点。たばこ税の増税や環境税の導入なども浮上している。年末の決着に向け、財政再建と経済活性化の両立が課題となる。

　暮らしに直結する税制では、年末に期限切れとなる住宅ローン減税の拡充が焦点。今の住宅ローン減税は借入額2000万円を上限に、1―6年目までは借入額の1％、7―10年目まで0.5％を所得税から差し引く。国交省はこれに加え、断熱材が厚い省エネ住宅や数世代にわたって住み続けられる「200年住宅」などについて、減税対象の借入額を拡大するよう求める。

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定額減税巡り自公平行線　経済対策で税調幹部会談

　自民党の津島雄二、公明党の井上義久両税調会長ら与党税調幹部は26日夕、国会周辺で会談し、29日に政府が決定する総合経済対策を巡って意見交換した。公明党は所得税の定額減税を盛り込むよう提案したが、自民党側は難色を示し、議論は平行線に終わった。27日の与党政策責任者会議で再度、議論する予定だ。

　会談では井上氏が「1年間の物価上昇分に見合う減税をしたい。今回の総合経済対策で方向性を出したい」と提案。津島氏は「国民生活を救いたいとの思いは一緒だ」と述べたものの、他の自民税調幹部からは「所得税減税は景気浮揚効果が乏しい」など慎重論が上がり、結論は出なかった。

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厚労省、厚生年金保険料の延滞金引き下げ検討

　厚生労働省は26日、厚生年金保険料を滞納した事業主が支払う延滞金を引き下げる検討に入った。現在は支払いが3週間程度遅れると年率14.6％の延滞金利がかかるが、負担が重すぎるとの声が多い。景気低迷の兆しが出るなか、中小企業の資金繰りに配慮する。

　社会保険庁は厚生年金保険料の納付日から7日たっても納入がないと督促状を発行。さらに10日余りすぎた指定期限までに納めなければ、本来の納付日にさかのぼって延滞金を課している。2006年度の滞納事業所数は10万8070にのぼる。

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企業、株券預託に遅れ　東証上場の35％実施せず

　東京証券取引所は26日、2009年1月の株券電子化に向けた上場企業の対応状況をまとめた。アンケート調査を行った結果、35％の企業が保有する株券を証券保管振替機構（ほふり）に預託していなかった。証券会社などを通して、ほふりに預ける作業をしないと、来年から株式売買手続きが複雑になる。東証では「早めに対応してほしい」と呼び掛けている。

　預託していない株券の対応について聞いたところ、9月末までに預託するという企業は38％、ほふりに預けないで「特別口座」に移行するとした企業は31％あった（いずれも複数回答）。

　特別口座は株券が無効になるのを防ぐために、発行会社が株主の名義で開設する口座。特別口座で管理する株券は売買ができない制約があるが、株主としての権利は失われない。「主に長期保有する企業が特別口座への移行を選んだのではないか」（決済管理部）とみている。

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みずほコーポ、原料輸入企業へ新型の資金提供手法

　みずほコーポレート銀行は原材料を輸入する企業向けの新しい資金提供手法を開発した。みずほコーポ銀が設置する特別目的会社（ＳＰＣ）が支払いを代行し、企業は代金をＳＰＣに後払いする。原材料価格が急激に上がった場合でも企業が手元資金を大きく膨らませずに済む利点がある。

　第1弾として9月にも、チリやインドネシアから銅鉱石を輸入する古河機械金属グループに対して新型資金提供を導入する。銅鉱石価格は過去数年で2倍以上に上昇した経緯がある。同グループは新手法を使うことで一時的な有利子負債の膨張を抑えることができる。

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７月民生用電子機器出荷、6カ月ぶり2ケタ増　五輪需要がけん引

　電子情報技術産業協会（ＪＥＩＴＡ）が27日発表した7月の民生用電子機器国内出荷額は、前年同月比15.7％増の2616億円だった。北京五輪を控えて薄型テレビや新世代ＤＶＤレコーダーの売れ行きが好調で、6カ月ぶりの2ケタ増となった。

　液晶テレビ（10型以上）の出荷台数は前年より31.3％多い74万5000台、プラズマも28.1％増の9万5000台となりそれぞれ3割程度伸びた。「五輪とボーナス商戦が重なったことがテレビの買い替えを促した」とＪＥＩＴＡはみている。

　新世代ＤＶＤに対応するレコーダー・プレーヤーの出荷も約18倍の13万9000台と大きく伸びた。

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７月のリース取扱高、10.9％減　14カ月連続マイナス

　リース事業協会が27日発表した7月のリース取扱高は前年同月比10.9％減の5027億円となり14カ月連続で前年を下回った。事業環境の悪化などで中小企業の設備投資が落ち込んでいることが響いた。

　機種別では、取扱高に占める比率が大きいパソコンなど「情報通信機器」が11.0％減の1442億円で、不振が続いている。スーパーの陳列棚やホテル設備といった「商業及びサービス業用機器」も前年を21.7％下回り12カ月連続の2ケタ減となった。事務用機器も18.3％減った。

　取り扱い件数は13.3％減の18万7592件だった。

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企業の在庫、高水準に　6月末、棚卸し資産残高78兆円超

　国内企業の在庫が膨らんでいる。2008年6月末の国内上場企業の棚卸し資産残高は78兆3486億円と、3月末に比べ8.7％増えた。ここ数年の四半期ベースでは昨年12月末に次ぐ水準。保有する原料の評価高が増えていることや、需要減で生産した製品が積み上がる傾向も一部で出ている。在庫が増えると必要となる運転資金も増えるため、借入金などが増えて財務が悪化する可能性もある。

　対象は国内上場企業（新興市場、金融を除く）2047社。06年6月末には60兆円台にとどまっていたがその後に増加傾向となり、昨年末に78兆円を超えた。08年3月末には72兆円台に減少したが、再び増加に転じた。

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主要ネット12社、最終損益７社改善　４―６月、交流サイト堅調

　主要インターネット企業12社の2008年4―6月期業績（2社は3―5月期）は7社の最終損益が改善し、5社が悪化した。携帯交流サイト運営企業が引き続き堅調で、商品の比較サイト運営企業も業績を伸ばした。半面、有料の携帯電話サイト関連は収益が悪化しており、収益格差が広がっている。

　交流サイト大手2社は携帯電話での利用増が寄与した。ディー・エヌ・エーは無料でゲームや交流機能を利用できる携帯サイト「モバゲータウン」の会員数が 6月末に1078万人と前年同月比79％増えた。ミクシィは携帯電話向けを中心にサイト内広告枠の販売が増え、人件費などの増加を吸収した。

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阪急・阪神百貨店、郊外店で食品宅配　スーパーに対抗

　エイチ・ツー・オーリテイリングは傘下の阪急百貨店と阪神百貨店の郊外5店で食品の宅配を始めた。午後2時までに店舗で3000円以上を買うと当日の午後6時までに配達する。同様のサービスを既に手掛けている大手スーパーに対抗する狙いで、百貨店では珍しい。軌道に乗れば衣料品なども対象に加える方針だ。

　サービスを始めたのは阪急百貨店千里店（大阪府豊中市）などで、近隣約3キロメートル以内に配達する。入会金は無料だが配送料210円がかかる。1度に送れるのは約50センチ×33センチ×26センチの箱2つ分まで。冷凍食品とケーキなど形が崩れやすい物は対象外。

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サントリー、ミネラル水に200億円投資　７割増産

　サントリーは2011年までに約200億円を投じて、ミネラルウオーターを7割増産する。国内3工場の能力を拡大し、国内のシェア（量ベース）を現在の 20％から26％程度まで引き上げ首位を固める。国内の清涼飲料全体の市場は伸び悩んでいるが、ミネラルウオーターは健康志向や値上がりの目立つ飲食料の中で割安感もあり需要が急増。飲食料市場で数少ない成長分野と見て積極投資する。

　「天然水」など自社ブランドのミネラルウオーターを手がける国内3工場で増産する。07年に3570万ケースだった生産量を、11年に6000万ケース程度まで引き上げる。スイスの食品大手ネスレから輸入する「ヴィッテル」など海外品の扱いも増やし、全販売量を07年の4250万ケースから6500万ケース以上に拡大する方針だ。

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上場企業の年金積み立て不足額、3.6倍　５年ぶり増

　上場企業の年金の積立不足額が5年ぶりに増加に転じた。2008年3月期の不足額は7兆3162億円と前の期比3.6倍になった。昨年度は日経平均株価が約28％下落し、年金運用資産の4分の1程度を占める国内株式運用が振るわなかった。企業は積み立て不足を一定期間で償却、損益計算書に計上する必要があるため、将来、業績への負担が膨らむ可能性がある。

　3月期決算の上場企業1847社（新興市場、金融など除く）を対象に日本経済新聞社が集計した。積み立て不足企業は前の期より55％増え1297社で、全体の7割を占めた。積立不足額は03年3月期（23兆7379億円）をピークに減少を続けてきたが、景気低迷で企業業績の悪化した00年代前半の水準に再び近づきつつある。

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国交省概算要求、18％増の6.9兆円

　国土交通省は27日、2009年度予算の概算要求をまとめた。総額は今年度当初予算に比べ18％増の6兆9372億円、うち公共事業関係費は同19％増の6兆2629億円とした。09年度から道路特定財源を一般財源化する方針が決まっている中で、道路事業は道路整備関係の予算に同14％増の2兆4079 億円を盛り込んだ。

　同時に公表した09年度の税制改正要望では、今年度で期限が切れる住宅ローン減税を5年間延長するとともに、減税対象の借入額の上限を2000万円から 3000万円に引き上げるよう求めた。今の制度は1―6年目までは借入額の1％、7―10年目までは0.5％を所得税から差し引けるが、09年度は「10 年間・1％」への拡充を要望。税額控除の最大額は現行の計160万円から300万円に増える。

　長い期間住み続けられる「200年住宅」、断熱材が厚い省エネ住宅ではさらに減税対象の借入額の上限を高めるよう求めた。ただ財務省は一般住宅向けのローン減税拡充に慎重で、どこまで実現するか不透明だ。

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毒蛇51匹を無許可で飼育　東京、容疑の男逮捕

　自宅でコブラなど毒ヘビ51匹を無許可で飼っていたとして、警視庁保安課は27日、東京都渋谷区神宮前の港湾作業員、柏木信一容疑者（41）を動物愛護法違反の疑いで逮捕した。容疑を認めているという。ヘビの無許可飼育による逮捕は都内では初めて。

　同課によると、同容疑者が7月15日、ヘビに餌を与えようとして指をかまれ、自ら119番したことで飼育が発覚。連絡を受けた捜査員が室内で飼われていたアフリカ産の毒ヘビ「トウブグリーンマンバ」など51匹を確認した。

　昨年11月には、同じマンションの別室で女性がヘビにかまれる事件が起きており、同課が関連を調べている。

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日本海は国際的名称…韓国の反発に中国が「正論」

　中国外務省の秦剛副報道局長は２６日の定例会見で、北京五輪閉会式で上映された世界地図上の「日本海」との表記について「日本海の名称は既に国際的に広範に使用されている」と指摘し、表記使用に誤りはないとの認識を示した。

　日本海を「東海」と表記するよう主張してきた韓国当局は、北京五輪組織委員会に不満を表明したが、副局長は「韓国が異なる見解を持っていることは承知しており、関係国と話し合いを通じて適切に問題を解決することを希望する」と述べるにとどまった。

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アフガン拉致：支援団体ショック「現地の信頼厚いはず」

　アフガニスタンでの事件発生に、国際援助団体からは今後の活動への懸念の声が上がった。

　約１５年間、教育支援活動を続けてきた「宝塚・アフガニスタン友好協会」（兵庫県宝塚市）代表の西垣敬子さん（７２）は、自らもペシャワール会の会員だったことがある。「現地の人から厚い信頼を寄せられている団体で、大変ショックだ」と驚きを隠せない。

　西垣さんは今年３～４月、資金援助で建設した女子大生向け寮の整備のためにジャララバードを訪れた。道路の検問が異様に厳しく、「テロリストの移動に対する警戒が強まっていると感じた」という。タリバン勢力の巻き返しでテロも増えており、「現地での支援の輪が消えてしまうのが心配だ」と述べた。

　０３年からアフガンの農業再建支援に取り組んできた神戸市のＮＧＯ「海外災害援助市民センター（ＣＯＤＥ）」の村井雅清・事務局長（５７）も、「古くから支援に尽力してきたペシャワール会のメンバーですら狙われる。それほど治安が悪化している」と懸念を示した。背景として、「長年、戦争が続き、教育が行き届いていない。ＮＧＯの存在が理解されていない」と指摘した。

　岡山市の国際医療支援団体「ＡＭＤＡ」グループの菅波茂代表も「ペシャワール会は、徹底的に地元密着型で活動しているという。現地で恨まれることは考えにくい」と話した。

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中国人実習生：給与改善求めトラブル　帰国無理強いされけが、告訴へ
　◇山梨のクリーニング会社、午前０時まで残業しても時給３５０円

　山梨県昭和町のクリーニング会社「テクノクリーン」（内田正文社長）で働いていた３０代の中国人女性実習生６人が、最低賃金を下回る給与の改善を求めたところ、同社が６人を無理やり帰国させようとしてトラブルとなり、実習生３人が骨折などのけがをしていたことが分かった。３人は傷害容疑での刑事告訴を検討。最低賃金との差額の未払いは、労働基準法に違反するとして、労働基準監督署へ申し立てる方針。【外国人就労問題取材班】

　実習生によると、６人は０５年１２月、外国人研修・技能実習制度で来日。研修後、０６年１２月から実習生として勤務した。午前８時半～午後５時半まで働いて月給５万円。平日は午前０時まで残業し、土、日に働くことも多かったが、残業代は時給３５０円（今春からは４５０円）だった。一方、会社側は毎日新聞の取材に対し、残業代の額を認めたうえで「月給は１１万８０００円払っていた」と回答。少なくとも残業代は同県の残業代の最低賃金（時給換算で８３１円）を大幅に下回っていた。

　６人は今月２０日、正規の報酬を支払うよう書面で要請。内田社長は２日後に回答すると約束した。ところが２２日午前７時半ごろ、社長は社員ら約１０人を伴い、社員寮で寝ていた６人を用意したマイクロバスに無理やり乗せ、成田空港に連れて行こうとした。実習生が抵抗し、空港行きは中止されたが、その際、実習生１人が寮の２階から飛び降り左足骨折。他の２人ももみ合いで腕に打ち身や擦り傷を負った。

　３人はその後、外国人研修・技能実習生を支援する「全統一労働組合」（東京都台東区）に保護された。残る３人は２４日、同社関係者に連れられ成田空港から帰国した。

　内田社長は２５日、同労組を訪れ「相手が日本人なら（無理に連れて行くことは）しなかった。高額の未払い金を要求されて、交渉できないと思った。けがをさせて申し訳ない」と謝罪した。保護されている胡菊花さん（３５）は「自尊心が傷ついた。日本人と同じように人間として扱ってほしかった」と話している。

　法務省入国在留課は「賃金未払いや人権侵害などは不正行為に該当し３年間の受け入れ停止処分に当たる可能性がある」としている。

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箸墓古墳：天皇陵と規模匹敵　「卑弥呼の墓説」強まる？

　邪馬台国（やまたいこく）の女王・卑弥呼（ひみこ）の墓との説があり、最古の巨大前方後円墳といわれる箸墓（はしはか）古墳（奈良県桜井市、３世紀後半）の前方部で、大規模な周濠（しゅうごう）跡が見つかった。周濠の幅が従来の推定より約４０メートル広く、天皇陵とされる後の大型前方後円墳に匹敵する規模だったことが判明。ヤマト王権成立を巡る議論の新たな手がかりとなりそうだ。

　市教委が今年５～７月、住宅建設に伴い前方部前面にあたる水田約１１０平方メートルを調査し、大きな溝状の落ち込み（深さ１．３メートル以上）を３３メートル分確認。底に水があったことを示す腐植層（植物が腐って土になった層）があった。落ち込みと墳丘の位置関係や出土した土器の年代などから、外濠の一部と判断した。

　外濠はこれまで墳丘北側などで一部を検出していた。今回は墳丘南側で確認された。墳丘を一定幅で一周する馬てい形で、内堤を挟んで内濠と外濠が巡る二重構造であることも、ほぼ確定。周濠を含む古墳の全長は推定で一回り大きい約４５０メートルになった。

　日本書紀は、箸墓古墳の築造を「昼間は人が夜は神が造った。大坂山の石を山から墓まで人々が連なり手渡しで運んだ」と、その壮大さを伝えている。墳丘を一定の幅で囲む大規模周濠の存在が明らかになったことは、箸墓古墳が前方部の周濠が著しく狭い「箸墓以前」の前方後円墳と一線を画すことを示す。これまで確認された墳丘のふき石や、内堤と墳丘をつなぐ渡り堤の存在と合わせて、箸墓古墳が後の古墳の原形だったことを改めて裏付けた。【林由紀子】
　◇解明へ大きな意義

　▽寺沢薫・県立橿原考古学研究所総務企画部長（考古学）の話　古墳研究の起点である箸墓古墳の実体がまた一つ解明され、大きな意義がある。前方後円墳の発展過程で、墳丘の巨大化に伴い周濠の規模も大きくなったのだろう。周濠の深さや大きさは、王と地方の首長や民衆との距離が一層、隔絶したことを示しており、箸墓古墳の時代にはヤマト王権の力が全国に及んでいたと考えられる。
　◇ことば　ヤマト王権

　大和を中心とする古代政権。３世紀ごろから律令国家が成立するまで続いた。大王家を中心とする広域の政治連合だったと考えられている。

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海上保安庁：原油高騰で燃料費４割増　概算要求

　海上保安庁は、来年度予算の概算要求に、巡視船艇・航空機の燃料費約１６３億円を盛り込んだ。今年度予算比で約４割増の大幅要求になった。海保の燃料費は０６年度以降、減少傾向で今年度は１１３億円だった。ところが、原油価格高騰の影響を受け、来年１月までに全額を使い切ってしまう見通しになった。訓練の中止・縮減などを進めてきたが、来年度は増額が不可欠と判断した。

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地磁気：放牧中の牛やシカも感じてる？　大型哺乳類で初

　放牧中の牛や休息中のシカの多くが地磁気の影響で南か北を向いているとの分析結果を、ドイツとチェコの研究チームがまとめた。地磁気を感じる動物として、移動に使う渡り鳥やサケ、哺乳（ほにゅう）類ではコウモリが知られている。大型哺乳類で感知できるのが確認されたのは初めてという。米科学アカデミー紀要（電子版）に発表した。

　衛星からの画像をインターネットで公開している「グーグルアース」を使い、五大陸３０８カ所の牛８５１０頭を調べた。その結果、頭を向けている方向の割合は南北になるほど高くなることが分かった。

　また、チェコで２９７４頭のシカを対象に、群れや雪上に残された休息の跡を観察したが、餌を食べたり休んだりしていた大半が頭を北に向けていた。

　地図上の南北と方位磁石が示す地磁気の南北は一致せず、高緯度ほど両者のずれが大きくなる。この特徴に注目して分析すると、牛やシカの体の向きが地磁気が示す南北に強く同調していた。また、太陽の位置や風向きとは無関係だった。

　どの地域でも家畜が餌を食べる時、大半が同じ方向に頭を向けることが知られていたが、理由は不明だった。研究チームは「地磁気に反応しているというのが唯一可能な説明だ」と結論づけた。

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介護事業にフリーターや定年者活用、厚労省が助成方針

　介護人材確保のため、厚生労働省は、フリーターや定年退職した人など、介護業務の未経験者を雇った介護事業主に、１人あたり５０万円を助成する制度を導入する方針を決めた。

　２００９年度予算の概算要求に４２億円を盛り込んだ。

　人手不足が深刻な介護事業について、多様な人材の参入と定着を促す。１事業主あたり３人を限度に、新卒者以外で採用した未経験の介護労働者が半年以上定着した場合に２５万円まで、１年以上定着した場合にさらに２５万円まで助成する。

　人手不足の背景には、介護事業所の人事制度や昇給制度の整備、研修が不十分なことが多く、将来に不安を抱く労働者が多いことも指摘されている。

　このため、事業主が人事、昇給制度を改めたり、未経験者への研修を行ったりした場合に１００万円を上限に一部を助成することも決めた。

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東京都心、オフィス賃料に先安観　7月末下落に転じる

　東京都心で、上昇が続いていたオフィスビル賃貸料（募集ベース）に一転して先安観が広がってきた。大手仲介業者2社がまとめた東京都心5区（千代田、中央、港、新宿、渋谷）の7月末の平均賃料は前月比で下げに転じた。下落幅は小さいが、前月まで最長で2年11カ月続いた上昇が途切れた。景気減速を背景に大都市でオフィスの空室率は上昇しており、大阪、名古屋の賃料も下落局面に入ったもようだ。

　三鬼商事（東京・中央）によると、指標となる大型ビル（同一階で契約可能な面積が330平方メートル以上）の平均募集賃料は3.3平方メートル当たり2万2860円となり、前月比0.03％（8円）下がった。前月まで2年11カ月連続で上昇していた。

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「常識超えた利益提供」　ホテル代踏み倒しの外務官僚、減俸１０％
2008.8.27 20:04

　外務省経済局の男性官僚（４０）がホテルの宿泊代１５００万円以上を支払っていなかった問題で、同省は２７日、この外務官僚を３カ月間、俸給を１０％カットする減給処分にしたと発表した。処分は２６日付。

　この官僚は、平成１８年６月から１９年４月までの２９３日間、東京都内のホテルで、１泊５万２５００円のセミスイートルームに宿泊。合計約１５３８万円の宿泊代を支払わなかったとして、ホテル側とトラブルになっていた。

　同省によると、この官僚は今年７月に産経新聞の報道などで問題が発覚した後、代金の処理についてホテル側と合意したという。しかし、同省は行為が「事業者からの常識を超えた利益提供」に当たるとして、国家公務員倫理規程に基づき懲戒処分とした。

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「職員給与を全国最低に」岡山県が行革素案
2008.8.27 21:29

　岡山県は２７日、財政再建を進めるため行財政改革の素案を発表。現在平均３％減額している職員給与のカット率を９・５％に拡大し、全国最低水準にする方針を打ち出した。

　年内に関係条例を改正し、平成２１年度から実施したい考えで、年間約１４０億円程度の支出削減効果を見込んでいる。国家公務員と比較した岡山県の職員給与は今でも都道府県で４４番目だが、４７番目を目指すという。

　素案では期末・勤勉手当も平均６・５％カットし、試算では４５歳の主幹級職員で、年間約３７万円の減収になるという。

　さらに教職員や警察官も含めた県職員を、現在の約２万４０００人から５年間で約１２８０人純減させる方向。石井正弘知事は、議会や県民の意見を聴きながら最終的な財政再建策を取りまとめる考えで「県民に協力を要請するには、まず県庁自らが身を切る改革が必要だ」と話している。