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After rising prices of cafes and restaurants in November and revealed Tuesday by INSEE, they were not going to Bercy auspiciously. Yet, while recognizing that these figures are not up to the commitments, Herve Novelli has not enjoined Tuesday to go further in the final statement he prepared to lower the VAT in catering. Aware of the difficulties of independent schools, the secretary of state for trade and was merely asking restaurants to moderate their rate increases at inflation for the year 2010.

The prices charged by restaurants and cafes have indeed increased by 0.1% in November, according to Insee, an increase equivalent to that recorded by all consumer prices.A study of services Bercy, 55% of restaurants only have indeed lowered their prices in line with commitments made in consideration of the reduction in VAT. In total, since 1 July 2009, a rate cut by the restaurants alone amounts to 1.41%, while that seen in cafes amounted to 0.95%, INSEE showed. These figures are actually far from the 3% who had committed coffee shops since July.

If the price cuts and hiring remain "midway" of stated goals, Herve Novelli Welcomes however, the wage agreement reached Monday by the social partners in the sector.Described as "historic" for the many benefits it provides to employees – annual premium of 500 euros, two days of additional leave, starting salary grid systematically 1% above the minimum wage … – it remains fragile, the main employers' organization has so far refused to sign.

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