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The Federal Trade Commission is taking action against the Florida-based marketers of a line of weight-loss supplements who allegedly made baseless claims for their products, and then threatened to enforce “gag clause” provisions against consumers to stop them from posting negative reviews and testimonials online.

In a complaint filed in federal court, the FTC alleges that Roca Labs, Inc.; Roca Labs Nutraceutical USA, Inc.; and their principals have sued and threatened to sue consumers who shared their negative experiences online or complained to the Better Business Bureau, stating that the consumers violated the non-disparagement provisions of the “Terms and Conditions” they supposedly agreed to when they bought the products. The FTC alleges that these gag clause provisions, and the defendants’ related warnings, threats, and lawsuits, harm consumers by unfairly barring purchasers from sharing truthful, negative comments about the defendants and their products.

“Roca Labs had an adversarial relationship with the truth,” said Jessica Rich, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Not only did they make false or unsubstantiated weight-loss claims, they also attempted to intimidate their own customers from sharing truthful – and truly negative – reviews of their products.”

According to the FTC’s complaint, the defendants advertised their weight-loss products, Roca Labs “Formula” and “Anti-Cravings” powder, via the Internet and through online search and social media advertising such as Google, Bing, Yahoo, and Facebook. The defendants represented their products as safe and effective alternatives to gastric bypass surgery. They also claimed that users could lose as much as 21 pounds in one month, and that users have a 90 percent success rate in achieving substantial weight loss.

In addition, the defendants used testimonials and supposed “third-party” reviews to illustrate the weight-loss success consumers achieved with their products. They solicited “Success Videos” from purchasers by offering to pay 50 percent of the products’ price for providing positive reviews. In addition to threatening consumers who violated the gag clause provisions, the defendants claimed that consumers who posted negative reviews would owe the “full price” for their products – hundreds of dollars more than advertised or actually paid, according to the complaint.

The defendants sold the products starting at $480 for a three-to-four month supply, and have sold at least $20 million of the powder since 2010, according to the complaint.

In addition to the FTC’s unfairness charges based on the defendants’ gag clauses, the FTC alleges that the defendants’ weight-loss claims are false or unsubstantiated. The FTC also charges that the defendants failed to disclose that they compensated users who posted positive reviews. In addition, the FTC alleges that defendants violated consumers’ privacy by disclosing their personal health information in some cases to payment processors, banks, and in public court filings.

The Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the complaint was 4-0. The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

NOTE: The Commission files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the law has been or is being violated and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. The case will be decided by the court.

The FTC is a member of the National Prevention Council, which provides coordination and leadership at the federal level regarding prevention, wellness, and health promotion practices. This case advances the National Prevention Council’s goal of increasing the number of Americans who are healthy at every stage of life. These cases are part of the FTC’s ongoing effects to protect consumers from misleading advertising.

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.

The expected influx of hundreds of millions of people into major urban centers around the world will create unprecedented new demands for government to add or update infrastructure that support opportunity, stimulate economies and improve quality of life.

In countries where infrastructure gaps already exist, like India —where more than 600 million people are expected to live in urban areas in the next two decades — rapid urbanization and population growth pose complex challenges.

With India’s diverse and growing economy Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration has launched ambitious efforts to reduce the social and physical infrastructure deficiencies facing a nation of more than 1 billion people, including 100 Smart Cities and other initiatives for job creation, housing and urban renewal of 500 cities. These efforts can be advanced through the support and investment of the global business community. As the issues posed by urbanization cross borders and require long-range planning, there’s plenty of opportunity for collaboration to ensure that cities and governments need not go it alone.

Here in the United States, we’re experiencing a similar rural-to-urban population shift alongside crumbling roads and bridges. The American Society of Civil Engineers recently gave the country a “D+” grade for our nation’s infrastructure performance.

Forward-looking governments are working hard to find the necessary funding to get the job done. They are rightly pursuing strategies to ensure that the infrastructure created is sustainable and resilient to better extract long-term value, enhance the quality of life and safety of citizens, and weather the changes that are certain to come.

At AECOM, we’re fusing science, engineering, construction and design to help support infrastructure demands, transform and connect communities and positively impact lives in India. With more than 2,500 people across eight regional offices in the country executing mega projects across the country with a total construction cost of more than $22.5 billion, we’re already demonstrating our commitment to India’s growth. Our work includes design, infrastructure planning and delivery of five new greenfield cities for the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, the sewage master plan for Delhi 2030 and metro rail projects in six cities.

Further, we’re answering the call to help India modernize and build sustainable cities. AECOM is leading a consortium, which includes KPMG and IBM, to prepare the smart city masterplan and infrastructure project plans for the port city of Vishakhapatnam to support its economic and growth ambitions. Every day, we’re working hard on projects that will build smarter, greener and resilient cities. We’re investing in India’s workforce through expansion of operations and ensuring the critical infrastructure is in place so we can improve the quality of life.

Not only do these efforts create better cities with improved services, they fortify the competiveness of American businesses around the world. A strong trade market abroad means a dynamic job market at home.

Advancing business community partnerships and collaboration can lead to improved infrastructure outcomes in both the U.S. and India.

Working groups between our two great nations, such as the US-India CEO Forum, only strengthen our collective ability to build a better world. I am proud to be a member of this year’s CEO Forum and look forward to collaborating with both public and private partners to improve commercial relations between the U.S. and India.

Department of Commerce Guest blog post by Michael S. Burke, Chairman and CEO, AECOM

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker welcomed President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Government delegation during a gala dinner with government and U.S. business leaders, organized by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, the Washington State Welcoming Committee, and the U.S.-China Business Council. Secretary Pritzker will join a number of events with American business leaders this week, serving as President Obama’s representative for the West Coast portion of Chinese President Xi’s visit to the United States.

Thank you, Mark for that warm introduction. And thank you to the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, the Washington State Welcoming Committee, and the U.S.-China Business Council for organizing this event.

President Xi and Madame Peng: on behalf of President Obama, I would like to welcome you to the United States. This is the beginning of an important trip, and we know that people across the United States and China – and indeed around the world – are paying close attention.

Over the last three decades, China’s economic progress has been nothing short of extraordinary. In1980, China’s GDP stood at $202 billion. In 2014, it was over $10 trillion. In 1980, China’s total trade was $30 billion. In 2014, China’s total goods trade was $591 billion – with just the United States.

This growth was only possible because China’s leaders made difficult choices to open and reform their economy, to allow private enterprises to develop, to permit foreign companies to invest in China, and to give greater transparency to the Chinese system. The result of these reforms: astounding economic growth that helped to lift 600 million Chinese out of poverty and changed the face of the country.

Over the past thirty years, China has also benefited significantly from a rules-based international economic system and long-term investments from U.S. companies. Just last year, direct investments by American firms in China totaled over $60 billion. And this week, a number of significant deals are being announced alongside President Xi’s visit that exemplify American companies’ commitment to support China’s development both with capital and with world-class technologies.

Nevertheless, we – and our companies – continue to have serious concerns about an overall lack of legal and regulatory transparency, inconsistent protection of intellectual property, discriminatory cyber and technology policies, and more generally, the lack of a level playing field across a range of sectors.

We expect to have candid and constructive discussions on these matters in the coming days, but it is absolutely in our mutual economic self-interest to resolve these issues.

Today, China has the second largest economy on the planet, and as we have seen in recent weeks, China’s economic policy decisions have ramifications that are felt far beyond its shores. Years of bold and necessary Chinese reforms worked. They created a global exporting powerhouse.

But those reforms – and that model – will not support China’s growth at the level that the Chinese government wants and the world needs. Today, as the world’s second largest economy, China cannot maintain that growth with an export-driven model. There simply is not enough global demand.

This is an important moment. China’s leaders have an opportunity to demonstrate, through their actions, that they are committed to the compelling vision of the Third and Fourth Plenums, and that they are prepared to partner with the United States to support a rules-based international economic system.

We have heard news in recent days regarding reform of state owned enterprises, as well as a renewed commitment to easing restrictions on foreign investment and improving the domestic business environment. If these signals are any indication, China appears ready to take steps to accelerate its transition from export- and investment-led growth to greater reliance on Chinese households and consumers. If this transition becomes a reality, the Chinese people and the entire global economy stand to benefit greatly.

The Obama Administration is committed to having productive discussions with China, and we expect our conversations over the next several days to yield tangible progress in a number of important areas. But the measure of our relationship goes well beyond the basis of commitments in a fact-sheet.

We will evaluate our relationship based on progress we make expanding cooperation and constructively managing differences – and most importantly, on the actions each of us takes. We warmly welcome you and your delegation to the United States. President Obama, and the whole of the American people, look forward to this significant State visit.

We look forward to a productive and successful engagement.

Detroit – The Detroit Development Fund (DDF), JPMorgan Chase & Co. and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) today announced a new $6.5 million lending program for Detroit businesses owned by entrepreneurs of color and businesses that primarily hire people of color. The Entrepreneurs of Color Fund will boost economic opportunity for minority-owned businesses in Detroit by providing them with greater access to capital and business assistance, allowing them to grow, hire local and further contribute to the city’s recovery.

Facilitated by DDF, a Michigan 501(c)3 Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), the Fund will seek to provide financing for general contractors, small retailers and other neighborhood service businesses along with many other types of businesses. The Fund will help businesses that traditionally have lower credit quality, lack access to capital and staffing and primarily serve Detroit’s neighborhoods.

Small businesses have historically been at the heart of economic growth in Detroit, and they have the potential to reduce unemployment and expand opportunity for Detroiters. There are approximately 32,000 minority-owned small businesses in Detroit, according the U.S. Census. This ranks Detroit as the fourth largest U.S. city for the number of minority-owned businesses. Yet, despite their importance to the economy, recent research by Michael S. Barr, Professor of Law at the University of Michigan, says minority-owned businesses rely significantly more on investments of personal or family wealth than on outside debt or equity.

“For Detroit’s comeback to be a true success, there must be opportunity for the Detroiters who have stayed,” said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “This new program fits perfectly with the work my administration is doing with Ken Harris and the Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce to make sure Detroit residents who want to start a business in their city have access to the capital and support they need to be successful.”

“The Entrepreneurs of Color Fund is very exciting for us and the Detroit small businesses it will support,” said Ray Waters, President, DDF. “The unique structure of the Fund allows DDF to provide a variety of lines of credit and loans to accommodate the needs of entrepreneurs of color. “We are pleased to facilitate the pilot program and are grateful for the support of JPMorgan Chase and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. We look forward to growing our lending in minority communities.”

Through a $3.5 million grant provided by the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, as part of its $100 million commitment to the Detroit’s economic recovery, and $3 million in program-related investments from the Kellogg Foundation, the Entrepreneurs of Color Fund will provide short and long-term loans. Loan sizes will vary, but the average loan will range from $50,000 to $150,000. The Kellogg Foundation developed and initiated the Fund because of its long-standing commitment to equity and to Detroit.

Businesses receiving financing will be able to use the capital to expand, finance equipment, address short-term cash flow needs and provide contractor lines of credit. The Fund will also provide small business loan recipients with technical assistance such as networking, marketing, business plan development and cash flow management. Eligible small businesses must be majority owned by people of color or have more than half their workforce made up of people of color. During implementation of this initiative, DDF will also work with Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation’s Detroit entrepreneurship programming efforts.

“Neighborhood businesses are critical to Detroit’s comeback, but many need access to the right capital to grow and thrive,” said Janis Bowdler, Head of Community Development for Global Philanthropy, JPMorgan Chase. “The Entrepreneurs of Color Fund is a unique approach that combines flexible financing and services to strengthen continued business growth in Detroit’s neighborhoods.”

“The Kellogg Foundation is not new to the idea of creating access to capital for people of color,” said La June Montgomery Tabron, WKKF’s President and CEO. “We know that investment in people of color is essential for equitable and effective urban development and this nation’s sustained economic dominance. We are proud partners with Detroit Development Fund, JPMorgan Chase and others who will join us to improve the economic opportunities for entrepreneurs, who are also parents, to better support their families and ensure success for Detroit’s kids.”

Funding will allow the Entrepreneurs of Color Fund to provide loans and technical assistance and establish a loan loss reserve. The reserve will allow DDF to expand its lending criteria and help Detroit small businesses that traditionally did not qualify for a loan.

“Detroit’s strength has always come from entrepreneurs who have a great idea and can build that into a business that thrives and creates jobs,” said U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow. “This new public-private partnership will help business owners succeed and grow, creating jobs and opportunity across the region.”

Michael Barr’s recent research, Minority and Women Entrepreneurs: Building Capital, Network, and Skills, published by the Hamilton Project of the Brookings Institution, calls for greater support for minority-owned and female-owned small businesses.

“Minority-owned businesses, including those in Detroit, often lack access to credit, to essential skills needed to survive and grow, and to business networks for mentoring and new business opportunities,” said Michael S. Barr, Professor of Law at the University of Michigan. “Increasing business formation by minority and female entrepreneurs is critical to improving the rate of entrepreneurship for the country as a whole, and generating new growth and jobs.”

Interested Detroit small businesses can learn more about eligibility by contacting the Detroit Development Fund at (313) 784-9547 or vholsey@detroitdevelopmentfund.com.

About the Detroit Development Fund
DDF was established in 1996 with a mission to “improve the quality of life for residents in underserved Detroit neighborhoods.” A 501(c)(3) and certified as a CDFI, DDF provides term loans and lines of credit to small businesses, small contractors, and for-profit and nonprofit affordable housing developers. DDF currently manages $23 million in loan capital. Since lending activities began in 2002, DDF has closed over $36 million in loans to businesses in Detroit, which helped to retain approximately 1,200 jobs and created approximately 1,800 new jobs. Approximately 72 percent of DDF’s small business loans have been made to minority owned companies, and over 1,400 housing units were rehabbed as a result of DDF’s loans. DDF lending activities have leveraged over $200 million in public/private investments with more than $7 million in projects under management.

About JPMorgan Chase & Co.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.4 trillion and operations worldwide. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, JPMorgan Chase & Co. serves millions of consumers in the United States and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under its J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. The firm uses its global resources, expertise, insights and scale to address some of the most urgent challenges facing communities around the world including the need for increased economic opportunity. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.

About the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life. The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Michigan, and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special emphasis is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF priority places in the U.S. are in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans; and internationally, are in Mexico and Haiti. To learn more, visit www.wkkf.org or follow WKKF on Twitter at @wk_kellogg_fdn.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez issued the following statement about the August 2015 Employment Situation report released today: “The strong and steady recovery of the U.S. economy continued last month, with the addition of 173,000 new jobs. August was the 66th consecutive month of private sector job growth with private employers having now created 13.1 million jobs since the beginning of 2010.

“The unemployment rate continues to fall, with August’s rate at 5.1 percent, down from a year ago when it was 6.1 percent. That makes a full year below 6 percent, following more than six years (73 straight months) of an unemployment rate above 6 percent.

“We saw growth in different sectors of the economy in August, for instance in health care, a sector that includes traditional occupations like nursing and jobs of the future like health IT. Local governments were also hiring, creating thousands of jobs such as teachers as our children head back to school in the fall.

“While the Great Recession is behind us, not every household is experiencing rising incomes and living standards. So many people are still struggling to find work. Even many of those who have jobs find themselves running in place, still unable to get ahead despite working harder than ever. For an even more robust recovery that lifts up more people, we need Congress to come together to raise the national minimum wage and pass a transportation infrastructure bill, along with avoiding self-inflicted wounds by eliminating sequestration.

“It’s also critical that workers have the ability to stand up and speak out for better wages, benefits and working conditions. The labor movement and union membership have traditionally been our most powerful expressions of worker voice. Next month when President Obama convenes a Summit on Worker Voice, we will focus on ways to strengthen organizing efforts and protect collective bargaining rights, in addition to exploring new models for empowering workers.

“In my travels around the country over the last month, I’ve met with workers, employers and community leaders who are working together to build an economy that expands opportunity for everyone. They share the president’s belief and my belief that we build a stronger nation through shared prosperity, that America is at its best when more people have more.

“As we celebrate Labor Day this weekend, let’s remember that this is a holiday about more than picnics, barbecues and enjoying the final, fleeting days of summer. It is a tribute to the ingenuity and mettle of America’s extraordinary working men and women. For everything they contribute to our economic strength and resilience, let’s do everything possible to help them thrive.”

The euro area (EA19) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 10.9% in July 2015, down from 11.1% in June 2015, and from 11.6% in July 2014. This is the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since February 2012. The EU28 unemployment rate was 9.5% in July 2015, down from 9.6% in June 2015, and from 10.2% in July 2014.

This is the lowest rate recorded in the EU28 since June 2011. These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Eurostat estimates that 23.067 million men and women in the EU28, of whom 17.532 million in the euro area, were unemployed in July 2015. Compared with June 2015, the number of persons unemployed decreased by 232 000 in the EU28 and by 213 000 in the euro area. Compared with July 2014, unemployment fell by 1.648 million in the EU28 and by 1.116 million in the euro area.

Member States
Among the Member States, the lowest unemployment rates in July 2015 were recorded in Germany (4.7%), the Czech Republic and Malta (both 5.1%), and the highest in Greece (25.0% in May 2015) and Spain (22.2%). Compared with a year ago, the unemployment rate in July 2015 fell in twenty-three Member States, increased in three and remained stable in Belgium and Romania. The largest decreases were registered in Bulgaria (11.5% to
9.4%), Spain (24.3% to 22.2%), Greece (27.0% to 25.0% between May 2014 and May 2015), Portugal (14.1% to 12.1%), Ireland (11.3% to 9.5%) and Croatia (16.9% to 15.1%). The increases were registered in Finland (8.7% to 9.7%), France (10.3% to 10.4%) and Austria (5.7% to 5.8%).
In July 2015, the unemployment rate in the United States was 5.3%, stable compared to June 2015 and down from 6.2% in July 2014.

Youth unemployment
In July 2015, 4.634 million young persons (under 25) were unemployed in the EU28, of whom 3.093 million were in the euro area. Compared with July 2014, youth unemployment decreased by 465 000 in the EU28 and by 336 000 in the euro area. In July 2015, the youth unemployment rate was 20.4% in the EU28 and 21.9% in the euro area, compared with 22.0% and 23.8% respectively in July 2014. In July 2015, the lowest rates were
observed in Germany (7.0%), Malta (8.7%) and Estonia (9.5% in June 2015), and the highest in Greece (51.8% in May 2015), Spain (48.6%), Croatia (43.1% in the second quarter 2015) and Italy (40.5%).

Geographical coverage
The euro area (EA19) includes Belgium, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia and Finland.

The European Union (EU28) includes Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Methods and definition
Eurostat produces harmonised unemployment rates for individual EU Member States, the euro area and the EU. These unemployment rates are based on the definition recommended by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The measurement is based on a harmonised source, the European Union Labour Force Survey (LFS).

Based on the ILO definition, Eurostat defines unemployed persons as persons aged 15 to 74 who:
– are without work;
– are available to start work within the next two weeks;
– and have actively sought employment at some time during the previous four weeks.

The unemployment rate is the number of people unemployed as a percentage of the labour force.
The labour force is the total number of people employed plus unemployed. In this news release unemployment rates are based on employment and unemployment data covering persons aged 15 to 74.
The youth unemployment rate is the number of people aged 15 to 24 unemployed as a percentage of the labour force of the same age. Therefore, the youth unemployment rate should not be interpreted as the share of jobless people in the overall youth population.

Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Finland, Sweden and Iceland: the trend component is used instead of the more volatile seasonally adjusted data.

Denmark, Estonia, Hungary, Portugal, the United Kingdom and Norway: 3-month moving averages of LFS data are used instead of pure monthly indicators.

MILWAUKEE, – Experis, the global leader in professional resourcing and project-based solutions, and part of the ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN) family of companies, has today announced it will acquire the majority ownership of Veritaaq in Canada. With this transaction, which is expected to close in late September, Experis further strengthens its capabilities across North America and complements the organic growth of the Experis business in Canada.

Veritaaq is one of the largest suppliers of IT consulting services to Canada’s federal government and partner to leading telecommunications, financial services, and oil and gas organizations. Veritaaq currently operates in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary.

“This strategic partnership helps further accelerate our strategy of shifting our business mix towards higher value and professional solutions,” said Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup CEO. “Employers need the best IT professionals to keep pace with technological advances, and this acquisition allows us to bring even more IT talent to organizations so they can achieve their business objectives.”

“Veritaaq has been looking for a partner to help us continue our growth strategy and build on our success,” said Paul Genier, Veritaaq President. “I am delighted that we have found that partner in Experis, and this strategic initiative will provide tremendous benefits in dramatically increasing Veritaaq’s breadth and scale of service offerings.”

About ManpowerGroupManpowerGroup® (NYSE: MAN) is the world’s workforce expert, creating innovative workforce solutions for more than 65 years. As workforce experts, we connect more than 600,000 people to meaningful work across a wide range of skills and industries every day. Through our ManpowerGroup family of brands – Manpower®, Experis®, Right Management ® and ManpowerGroup® Solutions – we help more than 400,000 clients in 80 countries and territories address their critical talent needs, providing comprehensive solutions to resource, manage and develop talent. In 2015, ManpowerGroup was named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the fifth consecutive year and one of Fortune’s Most Admired Companies, confirming our position as the most trusted and admired brand in the industry. See how ManpowerGroup makes powering the world of work humanly possible: www.manpowergroup.com

About Experis
Experis™ is the global leader in professional resourcing and project-based solutions. Experis accelerates organizations’ growth by attracting, assessing and placing specialized expertise in IT, Finance and Engineering to deliver in-demand talent for mission-critical positions and projects, enhancing the competitiveness of the organizations and people we serve. Experis is part of the ManpowerGroup family of companies, which also includes Manpower, ManpowerGroup Solutions and Right Management. To learn more, visit www.experis.com

About VeritaaqVeritaaq is a leading IT consulting firm helping organizations achieve their business goals by leveraging information technology. With more than 30 years of experience, Veritaaq has a proven track record of building trusted relationships while providing the highest level of IT consulting.

Headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, with offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary, our team includes more than 750 highly specialized consultants. Veritaaq works with top clients in the telecommunications, financial, and oil and gas sectors and also serves all levels of government.

MILWAUKEE, – ManpowerGroup Solutions, the world’s largest RPO provider, released the insights paper today, “Rethinking Retention: A User Experience Approach to Keeping Great People.” As traditional retention incentives become unsustainable, organizations are looking for new ways to attract and retain the best talent. ManpowerGroup Solutions provides a fresh perspective on retention, using a method most commonly found in product and service development: user experience modeling. This approach places employee motivations, interests and behaviors at the heart of organizational culture.

“Companies aren’t investing in organizationally-aligned retention strategies in the same way they do their brand and employer value proposition,” said Steve Lopez, vice president, ManpowerGroup Solutions, Consulting & Solutions. “Retention strategies that are in place tend to be one-size-fits-all, which doesn’t effectively meet employee needs. We segment our customer market – why not our employees?”

Many companies neglect to invest in making retention a part of organizational culture, with everyone aligned to a singular set of retention-focused expectations and behaviors. Integrating a user experience retention model that starts from the moment an individual first learns about an organization, all the way through to the exit interview, takes significant time, planning and stakeholder engagement, and can be difficult to achieve among competing priorities. Organizations should analyze their existing retention models using the following steps:
1.Conduct a user needs survey: Evaluate your value proposition and understand your candidates and employees – where to find them, what drives them and what they want in their careers.
2.Develop, test and refine content: Gather and analyze survey results to understand what people need. For example, candidates may want more corporate culture insight, while employees might be more motivated by information about development opportunities.
3.Evaluate functionality: Ask people if the systems in place work for them and create engagement. Understand when, where, why and how retention is breaking down.
4.Design the process: Ensure that candidates and employees can intuitively find the resources they need to enjoy doing their job well. This requires understanding when, where and how people interact with the employer brand, from digital channels and internal communication, to managers, mentors, peers and third-party sources.
5.Create a visual experience: Consider how people experience your organization from the standpoint of web/social media, office and workspace, and external marketing. Ensure the visual experiences aligns with the organization’s mission, vision, values and culture.

“Employers are quick to turn to conventional wisdom when it comes to retention, assuming it’s either a must-have or something impossible to achieve. In reality, retention is about strategic growth and finding right-fit employees that contribute to the long-term survival and success of the organization,” said Lopez. “Creating a culture and mindset of user-centered retention will generate deep engagement that yields the retention organizations desire.”

Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 215,000 in July, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.3 percent. Employment increased in retail trade, health care, professional and technical services, and financial activities.

Incorporating revisions for May and June, which increased nonfarm payroll employment by 14,000, monthly job gains have averaged 235,000 over the past 3 months. In the 12 months prior to July, employment growth averaged 246,000 per month.

Retail trade employment rose by 36,000 in July, with motor vehicle and parts dealers contributing 13,000 of the increase. Over the year, retail trade has added 322,000 jobs.

Health care employment increased by 28,000 over the month, and has grown by 436,000 over the year. Hospitals added 16,000 jobs in July.

Employment in professional and technical services rose by 27,000 over the month, as job growth continued in computer systems design and related services (+9,000) and in architectural and engineering services (+6,000). Employment gains in these two industries have accounted for nearly half of the 301,000 increase in professional and technical services employment over the past 12 months.

Employment in financial activities increased by 17,000 in July. Within the industry, insurance carriers and related activities added 10,000 jobs.

Manufacturing employment edged up by 15,000 over the month. Job gains occurred in several nondurable industries, including food manufacturing (+9,000) and plastics and rubber products (+6,000).

In July, employment continued to trend up in food services and drinking places (+29,000) and in transportation and warehousing (+14,000).

Mining employment continued on a downward trend in July (-5,000). Since its recent peak in December, mining has shed 78,000 jobs.

Average hourly earnings of all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 5 cents in July to $24.99. Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have risen by 2.1 percent. From June 2014 to June 2015, the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased by 0.2 percentage point (on a seasonally adjusted basis).

Turning now to data from the survey of households, most major indicators showed little or no change over the month. The unemployment rate held at 5.3 percent in July, and the number of unemployed was unchanged at 8.3 million. Among the unemployed, 26.9 percent, or 2.2 million, had been unemployed 27 weeks or more, little changed from the prior month.

The labor force participation rate, at 62.6 percent, was unchanged in July, after declining by 0.3 percentage point in June. The employment-population ratio was also unchanged in July, at 59.3 percent, and has shown little movement thus far this year.

Among those employed in July, 6.3 million were working part time for economic reasons. These individuals, also referred to as involuntary part-time workers, would have preferred full-time employment but were working part time because their hours had been cut back or because they were unable to find full-time work. The number of involuntary part-time workers changed little over the month, but has fallen by 1.1 million over the year.

Among people who were neither working nor looking for work in July, 1.9 million were classified as marginally attached to the labor force, down from 2.2 million a year earlier. These individuals had not looked for work in the 4 weeks prior to the survey but wanted a job, were available for work, and had looked for a job within the last 12 months. The number of discouraged workers, a subset of the marginally attached who believed that no jobs were available for them, was 668,000 in July, little
different from a year earlier.

In summary, nonfarm payroll employment rose by 215,000 in July, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.3 percent.

SEATTLE — (NASDAQ: AMZN) – Amazon today announced Amazon Launchpad, a new program that makes it easy for startups to launch, market, and distribute their products to hundreds of millions of Amazon customers across the globe. The program offers a streamlined onboarding experience, custom product pages, a comprehensive marketing package, and access to Amazon’s global fulfillment network, all geared toward helping startups successfully launch their innovations and share their stories. With Amazon Launchpad, startups can overcome many of the challenges associated with launching new products by using Amazon’s retail expertise and infrastructure to create awareness and drive sales.

“As the pace of innovation continues to increase within the startup community, we want to help customers discover these unique products and learn the inspiration behind them. We also know from talking to startups that bringing a new product to market successfully can be just as challenging as building it,” said Jim Adkins, Vice President, Amazon. “Amazon Launchpad gives customers access to a dedicated storefront featuring a variety of innovative new products from emerging brands. For startups, we handle inventory management, order fulfillment, customer service, and more, allowing them to focus their efforts on the innovation that results in more cool products.”

Amazon Launchpad offers participating startups:
Brand Development: Custom product pages help bring products to life through visually-compelling imagery and videos. Founders can tell their story and connect with customers in a personal way with Q&A about the startup. Products from these emerging brands are featured in the new Amazon Launchpad store, which is dedicated to showcasing startups and their innovations.
Customer Reach: Amazon’s most powerful marketing tools – including merchandised placements, personalized recommendations, and participation in the Amazon Vine customer reviews program – give products from startups added visibility. Startups also enjoy access to Amazon’s global fulfillment network, fast and free shipping with Amazon Prime, and customer service.
Global Expansion: When startups are ready to reach customers outside the U.S., Amazon Launchpad can help them expand globally with cost-effective supply chain solutions and marketing programs in more than 10 Amazon marketplaces around the world.
Amazon is working with more than 25 venture capital firms, startup accelerators, and crowd-funding platforms to bring startups into the Amazon Launchpad program. Andreessen Horowitz, Y Combinator, and Indiegogo are a few of the companies that have funded the more than 200 products currently available in the Amazon Launchpad store – which features everything from Electronics to Kitchen to Beauty items. Products from startups in the program include the Bluesmart Smart Carry-On Luggage, eero Home Wi-Fi System, Cuff DVB Smart Sport Band, Fenugreen FreshPaper Produce Saver Sheets, Electric Objects EO1 Digital Art Panel, Soma Sustainable Pitcher & Plant-Based Water Filter, Thync Mood-Changing Wearable System, and Casper Mattress, among others.

Initial feedback from some of the companies in the Amazon Launchpad program includes:

“Launchpad makes Amazon an ideal partner for the most innovative young tech companies,” said Marc Andreessen, Co-Founder and General Partner, Andreessen Horowitz. “It’s yet another way Amazon fosters a real ecosystem of invention and creativity.”
“At Y Combinator, our support doesn’t end on Demo Day. With Amazon Launchpad, we are reinforcing our commitment to help bring physical products to a wide audience,” said Luke Iseman, Partner, Y Combinator. “This program will help our hardware startups get in front of more users than ever before.”
“Indiegogo empowers campaigners to turn ideas into reality through customer engagement and funding mechanisms. By partnering with Amazon Launchpad, Indiegogo entrepreneurs gain instant access to Amazon’s powerful distribution capabilities and massive audience,” said Slava Rubin, Co-Founder and CEO, Indiegogo. “I’m excited to see how this unique partnership enables startups to accelerate their growth and share their innovative products with the world.”
“Amazon recognizes the increasing importance of fast and reliable home Wi-Fi as consumers stream more video and music than ever before and connected devices go mainstream,” said Nick Weaver, Co-Founder and CEO, eero. “We couldn’t ask for a better partner and are honored to be one of the emerging companies in the Amazon Launchpad program. We’re excited to showcase our product on the world’s largest discovery platform.”
“Amazon Launchpad is the perfect home for our smart jewelry. This innovative way to shop lets us tell consumers the story and philosophy behind Cuff, and hopefully makes them fall in love with our product,” said Deepa Sood, Founder and CEO, Cuff. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of this initiative.”
“I am an accidental entrepreneur – I never dreamed that FreshPaper, which started as my middle school science project, would one day be in the hands of farmers and families across the globe. But my unlikely story is only possible because of visionary partners like Amazon who believe in our product’s potential to change the way the world eats,” said Kavita Shukla, Inventor and Founder, Fenugreen FreshPaper. “By throwing their considerable weight behind ideas like FreshPaper, Amazon is using its technology and reach to make innovation accessible to all.”
“The sheer scale that Amazon Launchpad offers a startup like Electric Objects is unparalleled,” said Jake Levine, Founder and CEO, Electric Objects. “Working closely with their team these last few months, I’ve been consistently impressed with the level of service and access that this program makes available. This partnership could be game-changing for our company, and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to participate.”
To learn more about the Amazon Launchpad program, visit www.amazon.com/launchpad/signup. To shop the Amazon Launchpad store, visit www.amazon.com/launchpad.

About Amazon

Amazon.com opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995. The company is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire phone, Fire tablets, Fire TV, and Amazon Echo are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon.

“Dodd-Frank” is shorthand for the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, whose chief co-sponsors on Capitol Hill were Senator Chris Dodd and Representative Barney Frank. These reforms — that the President signed into law exactly five years ago today — and others the Administration has put in place since the crisis represent the most sweeping set of financial reforms since the Great Depression.

Why does it matter and why should you care? Let’s take a walk down memory lane.

(And if you just want a quick breakdown of the numbers behind five years of Wall Street reform, take a look here.)

1. Remember the CFPB? Wall Street reform created it.

“CFPB” stands for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: an independent watchdog responsible for writing and enforcing rules to protect you as you borrow and save. And Wall Street reform made it happen.

Here’s why that’s a big deal:

You’d be surprised at exactly what lenders were able to get away with during the housing bubble — including loading up a mortgage with extra costs to jack up their own compensation in the short term before shuffling that loan over to a third party, making it their problem. With these bad incentives, lenders steered borrowers toward bad products they couldn’t afford (even when they qualified for better, lower-cost options), often burying the terms of made-to-explode mortgages in the fine print.

Dodd-Frank fixed that. Today, lenders have to assess borrowers’ ability to pay a mortgage first. They have to take responsibility for the risks of the loans they make, giving them “skin in the game” to encourage responsible lending. And they will have to present them to the borrowers in clearer, easier-to-understand terms. And the CFPB is keeping all kinds of consumer lenders honest — from credit card companies, to mortgage lenders, to debt collectors, to student loan servicers. Since 2011, the CFPB’s enforcement actions have delivered nearly $11 billion in relief to more than 26 million consumers harmed by illegal practices — including a new action announced today.

(Those practices include deceptive marketing, unfair billing, and discriminatory practices by big banks and other financial institutions — and a whole lot more. Learn more about them here.)

2. Remember when you were responsible for picking up the tab for Wall Street’s mistakes? Not anymore.

When large, complex, or interconnected firms (like Lehman Brothers) failed during the crisis, the regulators didn’t have the tools they needed to wind them down safely, without bringing down our entire financial system. That left us with a pretty awful choice: Let our system collapse and risk another Great Depression (which nearly happened after Lehman failed), or have taxpayers step in to clean up the mess?

Wall Street reform fixed that. Today, regulators have something called “orderly liquidation authority,” which is a fancy way of saying that if a big Wall Street firm implodes again, taxpayers aren’t on the hook — investors in the firm and the financial industry pick up the tab. By law, no firm is too big to fail.

3. Remember when huge parts of our financial system were allowed to operate in the shadows? They’re being brought into the light now.

Before the financial crisis, trillions of dollars in complex financial contracts — like derivatives— went almost completely unregulated. Nobody knew who was responsible for what. Sometimes the contracts were only written on paper, stuffed in a drawer, and forgotten. As a result, institutions couldn’t keep track of who owed what to whom. And when a large firm that many other firms relied on to meet their own obligations went down, it had the ability to drag the entire economy down with it.

Here’s how Wall Street reform changed that: Today, most complex transactions have to happen on transparent, centralized platforms with good documentation and better safeguards so that no one firm’s failure can ripple through the entire economy. And regulators now have the power to find and address risks across the financial system, bringing major institutions and major markets that used to escape adequate oversight up to higher standards.

4. Remember when opponents of reform said the sky was going to fall? It didn’t.

Five years ago, opponents of this bill said that its reforms would hurt lending and kill jobs. Five years later, here’s what we know:

Business lending by banks is up 30 percent.

Unemployment is the lowest it’s been in seven years.

And we’ve had the longest streak of private-sector job growth on record — with nearly 13 million jobs created.

5. Remember when we said we were done here? We didn’t. (We’re not.)

The President’s still working to protect American consumers; keep our markets safe, open, and fair; and provide a foundation for strong economic growth. We’re making new rules to make sure your retirement advisor is working in your best interest, we’re protecting our service members and their families from predatory lenders, and we’re making sure our financial institutions can stand up to the toughest conditions the market has to offer through annual stress tests.

We’re finishing the financial reform work that Dodd-Frank started, and we’ll stand up against any efforts to roll it back.

Charlie Anderson is a Senior Advisor for the National Economic Council.

Today the Living Wage Foundation is delighted to mark a historic milestone in the life of the Living Wage campaign as Ikea becomes the first major retailer in the UK to commit to becoming a Living Wage accredited employer.

Rhys Moore, director, Living Wage Foundation said:

We are delighted with the news that Ikea, one of the UK’s major players in the retail sector, has announced its intention to accredit as a Living Wage employer. This is a huge step in the life of the Living Wage movement and sends out a clear marker to the sector that businesses that can, should pay the voluntary rate, which is calculated according to the cost of living. The news is particularly timely given the recent announcement by the Chancellor who described the new, higher rate of the statutory minimum wage for over 25’s as a ‘national living wage’. Leading businesses, and increasingly consumers, recognise the need for a distinction between the rates. The Living Wage is a mark of responsible businesses, with accredited Living Wage companies choosing to go above and beyond the legal minimum.

IKEA’s accreditation will see all employees across the UK receive a basic rate of pay of at least £7.85 p/h whilst employees in the capital will be paid the London Living Wage rate, currently set at £9.15.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson MP said:

I am absolutely delighted that IKEA has become the first major retailer to sign-up to the voluntary Living Wage, rewarding their hard-working employees for their loyalty and their valuable contribution to the productivity and growth of the economy. There is no doubt that the London Living Wage is a win-win scenario for the workforce and employers alike, boosting quality of life and workplace morale which in turn increases productivity. I have long argued that those companies who can afford to pay the London Living Wage should do so, and I urge big businesses to follow IKEA’s fantastic example and do the right thing by signing up to this scheme.

The Living Wage Foundation has now accredited over 1,600 businesses, including nearly a quarter of the FTSE 100 and well-known companies such as Nestle, Nationwide and British Gas.

Rhys Moore continued:

We welcome the huge step the Chancellor has taken on low pay. This is a massive victory for Citizens UK and those communities, workers and business leaders who have campaigned for a Living Wage since 2001. A strong national minimum wage is a fantastic boost to the Living Wage movement but the issue remains that for many UK employees, despite working hard, their rates of pay simply don’t cover the costs of living. The Living Wage remains key to tackling in-work poverty in the UK.

Bentonville, Ark., – Walmart today launched a new digital library, with videos from its inaugural Global Women’s Forum, to further support the advancement of future women leaders at Walmart and women worldwide. Part of Walmart’s President’s Global Council of Women Leaders’ Global Women’s Development Series, the Forum held on April 21 was a half day event broadcast in ten countries, while an additional eight countries held their own event that focused on educating Walmart associates about important issues affecting women in the workplace. Forum speakers included Academy Award winning actor Geena Davis, Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo Indra Nooyi, and BBC World News anchor and author, Katty Kay.

The digital library of content contains footage from the Forum, which includes keynote speeches and panel discussions on three development topics: confidence, mentoring and work/life integration. The library provides rich content that may be shared and used by professionals all over the world for professional development and discussion.

“Over half of our associates are women, and as the world’s largest retailer, we know that providing development opportunities for our female associates and making this information available to women around the world can have a ripple effect on the global workforce,” said Michelle Gloeckler, executive vice president of Consumables and Health and Wellness, U.S. Manufacturing lead and chair of the President’s Global Council of Women Leaders. “It is our hope that this inaugural Global Women’s Forum will serve as a catalyst in our work to develop the future female leaders of Walmart.”

“I could not be more thrilled to be a part of Walmart’s Global Women’s forum and to see a company like Walmart working to provide opportunities for its associates to thrive and share those opportunities globally,” said Geena Davis. “By working together across multiple industries, we can empower women worldwide with the resources and mentorship they need to build meaningful careers.”

The Global Women’s Forum and the library of content are part of a larger Global Women’s Development Series which seeks to champion opportunities for women to grow and thrive across the globe, provide accessibility and a platform to support women and showcase female talent across Walmart. In March, the Global Women’s Development Series hosted an International Women’s Day celebration at the Walmart home office.

“All around the world, women are breaking new barriers and making tremendous contributions to both business and society,” said Indra Nooyi, Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo. “The work Walmart is doing to invest in and empower women is critically important, and PepsiCo is proud to contribute to the continuing discussion on this topic. We are deeply committed to fostering diversity and inclusion across our workforce and we look forward to continuing our work with Walmart on this shared priority.”

Walmart is also working in other ways to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace, advocate for workforce opportunities within the entire retail sector and champion women through its Women’s Economic Empowerment initiative. A critical part of this work is supporting the advancement of women at Walmart, particularly as women make up more than half (57%) of Walmart associates and Walmart has twice the rate of female corporate officers (32%) as the Fortune 500.

Through its Women Economic Empowerment Program, Walmart has made a commitment to source $20 billion from women owned businesses in the U.S, and double its sourcing from women owned businesses internationally. Additionally, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have committed to train 1 million women all over the world in retail, factories and farming.

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About Walmart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, more than 250 million customers and members visit our 11,462 stores under 71 banners in 28 countries and e- commerce websites in 11 countries. With fiscal year 2015 sales of nearly $486 billion, Walmart employs more than 2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visitinghttp://corporate.walmart.com on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.

An EU-US trade deal must open up US market access for EU firms, but must not undermine EU standards, say MEPs in recommendations, voted Wednesday, to EU trade negotiators. To settle trade-related investor-state disputes, a new justice system, run by publicly-appointed judges and subject to scrutiny and transparency rules, should replace private arbitration under the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) system, they add.

Parliament approved its recommendations to European Commission Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiators by 436 votes to 241, with 32 abstentions.

“Unprecedented globalization is under way and our citizens and businesses are right in the middle of it. As parliamentarians, it is our democratic duty to shape this process. If it is to work for the benefit of the people, then it cannot be left in the hands of the negotiators alone. That is why we have drafted this resolution and spelt out the principles for the kind of trade agreement we want the Commission to conclude”, said rapporteur Bernd Lange (S&D, DE).

“We demand a more transparent process, robust workers’ rights and protection for personal data and public services. We insist that the right of lawmakers on both sides of the Atlantic to legislate must not be undermined by private arbitration courts or other bodies”, he continued, concluding that “we have given clear guidance for the Commission on what kind of deal we want. And if, at the end of the day, the agreement is bad, we will reject it. If it’s good, we will vote in favour”.

New system to resolve investor-state disputes
The compromise wording on investor-state dispute resolution tools, hammered out by political groups in long and tense negotiations and inserted in the text with 447votes in favour, 229 against and 30 abstentions, calls for a new justice system to replace ”investor-state dispute settlement” (ISDS) provisions, which rely upon private arbitration and are common in trade deals.

This system should be “subject to democratic principles and scrutiny”, in which cases are handled “in a transparent manner”, by “publicly appointed, independent professional judges” and “in public hearings”. It should include “an appellate mechanism”, respect the jurisdiction of EU and member state courts and ensure that private interests “cannot undermine public policy objectives”, says the text.

Go on with TTIP talks to get a good deal

MEPs favour continuing talks but reiterate that they need to deliver an “ambitious” and “balanced” deal, which increases market access for goods and services and also access to public procurement markets, with benefits shared across EU member states, leading to an “effective, pro-competitive economic environment” and precluding non-tariff trade barriers.

A deal should remove US restrictions on foreign ownership of transport services and airlines, improve EU access to US telecommunications markets and achieve a “significant opening” of the US public procurement market at all levels of government, says the text.

At the same time, high levels of protection for EU consumer data, health and safety must be guaranteed, and social, fiscal and environmental dumping must be prevented, they add.
MEPs also stress that public services must be excluded from the scope of the deal, the EU’s geographical indications system must be strongly protected, and there should be special treatment for sensitive agricultural and industrial products.

MEPs advocate cutting trade red tape through “mutual recognition of equivalent standards”, but nonetheless stress that there can be “no agreement” in areas where the US standards are “very different”, e.g. for authorising chemicals, GMOs, use of hormones in the bovine sector, cloning or endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

Next steps
The 10th round of the EU-US trade negotiations on the TTIP is scheduled for 13-17 July 2015 in Brussels.

A TTIP deal, once drawn up by EU and US negotiators, would need the backing of the European Parliament and the EU Council to enter into force.

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

TTIP is a broad negotiation. It covers traditional trade issues but also many others, like medical devices regulation, financial services or sustainable development. To get it right, we need the engagement of the whole of this Parliament.

This resolution is providing that engagement. The fact that 14 committees in addition to the International Trade Committee were active in drafting it proves that you are deeply engaged in the detail of this negotiation.

When President Juncker came here to present his agenda for this Commission last July, he made clear that TTIP was one of his core priorities. This House at that time voted strongly in favour of his agenda.
Why?
First, because TTIP is an essential part of the Commission’s strategy to open markets around the world. We are doing that not to benefit a small few but in order to create opportunities for the whole of Europe: the people of Europe the consumers of Europe, the entrepreneurs of Europe.

One in seven people in Europe have a job thanks to exports around the world. Those jobs are highly skilled and better paid than average. 4.7 million of them are linked to exports to the US. TTIP would help increase that number.

It would also make goods cheaper and more varied for consumers.

And it would help make our small and medium-sized companies more competitive. They would find it easier to export and get their imported components and raw materials more
cheaply.

Those are solid economic advantages. We cannot afford to turn our backs on them, now or in the future.

Second, TTIP is also a strategic alliance with the country that most shares Europe’s commitment to our core values and a high level of protection of people and of the
environment in regulation.

We need an ally like that to shape the globalization we see deepening before our eyes every day. We are more affected by economic and political decisions made in other countries than ever before.

And we particularly need an ally because we know that the strength of our voice in the world is, in relative terms, decreasing.

TTIP guarantees that partnership with America for the future. We cannot afford to turn our backs on that either.

There is, Honourable Members, as you know, an unprecedented debate about this agreement. That’s a good thing. I respect people who have doubts and questions, across the
continent and within this House. I take those concerns seriously and have engaged closely with national parliaments, with this Parliament, with NGOs, with civil society and other stakeholders to listen and to try to understand their concerns.

And I hope that all these people see the changes that we have made to take account of their views.

Since last November:
I have opened up these negotiations to unprecedented public scrutiny. I have put EU negotiating proposals on the internet and increased the access of Members of this Parliament and representatives of the Member States to the process. I have visited national parliaments to exchange and open channels. And I am happy to say that TTIP is the world’s most transparent bilateral free trade negotiation.

We have also made clear where we stand on public services such as public health or water concessions. This is a concern I have heard very frequently. I have together with
Ambassador Froman, the US Trade Representative, made a joint statement: The EU and the US are now fully united around a crystal clear vision that nothing in TTIP will change the fact that only Member States choose how their public services should be organised.

We have also made clear where we stand on regulation: I’ve put our proposal on cooperating with the US online. And it says there will be no limitations on the power of this Parliament, of any national parliament or of Europe’s governments. We want the benefits of shared expertise and we want opportunities for our people. That’s all.

And I have made proposals for a deep reform of investment protection. The result is a completely new approach. We still want to foster job-creating investment. But we are
proposing a new system that sets down the right to regulate in black and white. A new system that takes us away from the private arbitration tribunals of the past. Instead we want a future in which disputes are decided in an international investment court, by judges and with a right of appeal. TTIP will be a step towards that goal, not the final result. But it is an essential step, given the role of the US as a global investor. And your resolution is a vital step in these negotiations. But it is certainly not the end of our conversation. The Commission will continue to be flexible to take account of your views.

Beyond investment, we also have important proposals to discuss on how best to protect labour and environmental rights and on digital commerce. And there will be many more issues to debate over the course of these talks. They are far from over. These negotiations are far reaching and a lot of work is still needed.

I will continue to push the US on our offensive interests: including on public procurement, where we expect an ambitious proposal, but also on services, energy, and geographical indications just to mention a few examples. And your resolution will provide a vital basis for that negotiation. Having your priorities so clearly established helps the Commission explain why we need to tackle them in the final agreement.

So allow me to thank you for work…
… to look forward to the debate we are about to have.
… and to pledge my full cooperation with you as we jointly push for the result Europeans
need:
A TTIP that leads to jobs, growth and investment while protecting our values and our democracies.
Thank you.

Qantas Airways Limited today announced a one-off bonus payment will be made to all employees covered by an 18-month wage freeze policy as part of their collective agreement.

All Qantas, Jetstar, and other Group employees covered by finalised Agreements that include the wage freeze will receive a one-off payment worth five per cent of their base annual salary. The payment to eligible employees will be made shortly after release of the Group’s full year results on 20 August 2015.

Bonus payments for employee groups not currently covered by the wage freeze policy will be made once Agreements including the wage freeze are finalised. This bonus does not extend to employees who are part of management bonus schemes, which will be determined separately.

The bonus payment will be made to up to 28,000 Qantas Group employees, costing an estimated $90 million on full implementation. It is anticipated that the non-recurring cost of up to $90 million will be recognised in the Group’s 2016 financial year, outside of underlying earnings.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the bonus was recognition of the contribution made by all employees to strengthening the Group’s long-term competitive position through the wage freeze and the delivery of all Qantas Transformation targets on or ahead of schedule.

“The rapid turnaround of the Qantas Group has only been made possible through the dedication and hard work of all our people,” said Mr Joyce.

“Our ability to make these bonus payments reflects a bright future for the Qantas Group, provided we stay focussed on fully delivering the transformation program that has brought us this far.”

Qantas expects to have realised at least $875 million of the targeted $2 billion of benefits in the Qantas Transformation program as of the end of financial year 2015.

WASHINGTON — With the release of the June 2015 Employment Situation Report today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez says there are five things you should know about its numbers:

The recovery continues: The economy added 223,000 jobs in June. Businesses have now created 12.8 million jobs over the last 64 consecutive months of private-sector job growth.

Unemployment is down: The unemployment rate dipped to 5.3 percent, its lowest level since April 2008.

People are unemployed for shorter periods of time: The number of long-term unemployed fell by 381,000, the second largest month-to-month decline on record. The long-term unemployed now account for just over a quarter (25.8 percent) of the overall unemployed, compared to a Great Recession high of 45.5 percent in April 2010.

Proposed overtime rule would help boost wages: Average hourly earnings were unchanged from last month, with a modest 2.0 percent increase over the year. Wages clearly represent one of our most pressing challenges. To help more people get a fair day’s pay for an honest day’s work, President Obama this week announced a proposed change in the rules governing time-and-a-half overtime pay that would restore overtime protections to nearly 5 million salaried workers.

We need a full team: To accelerate this recovery and maximize our economic strength, we need contributions from everyone. With youth unemployment still above 12 percent, the Labor Department recently invested $22 million in seven cities to expand employment and training opportunities for underserved young people. Unemployment for people with disabilities has shown marked improvement: 9.3 percent today, down from a peak of 16.9 percent four years ago. As we prepare to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we must do everything possible to continue creating and expanding opportunity for people with disabilities. We don’t have a person to spare in America. We need everyone off the bench and in the game.