The need to invest money in one’s own technological capabilities to be able to progress and be inclusive in the modern era

The need to invest money in one’s own technological capabilities to be able to progress and be inclusive in the modern era

Tigrish Chakrabarty:

With the advance of technology and the digitalisation of all administrative, professional and personal services, a large proportion of the population is no longer evolving at the same pace. Inclusion and technological culture are slowing down in relation to advances, and a large number of people are no longer following the course of progress.

1. Adults lagging behind in technological development

The majority of people over the age of 40 do not like to learn the intimate behaviours of their electronic devices, or find those too complicated and not worth the investment of time.

These same people generally don’t want to spend enough money on new devices. This creates a circle of dissatisfaction due to the fact that these devices are slow and not suited to people’s needs, making for a frustrating experience.

However, you shouldn’t think that a phone has to be expensive to work well, especially if it’s intended for limited use. For example, a phone costing less than 350 euro can last more than 5 years if it is well maintained, provided you choose from the models with right specifications.

If an app-based worker, such as a food or parcel delivery person, buys the right model of mobile phone, he or she can use it for long time.

2. The benefits of a computer in everyday life

Before the age of smartphones, the only viable way to access the internet was to use a computer, and the only affordable way to use it to its full potential was a desktop computer. Progress has meant that a smart phone can replace a computer for a large number of tasks, but it cannot replace its technical capabilities.

Many young people today don’t like the idea of using a computer, among the reasons being ‘too big’, ‘hard to use’, ‘too expensive’, ‘doesn’t serve me’. This is unfortunate, because the computer is a workstation that offers no limits to its efficiency and provides a superior experience to a mobile phone. The size of its screen, its performance and peripherals such as a physical keyboard and mouse increase productivity exponentially. Websites have their full functionality easily accessible, load faster and are clearer. Computers also offer the ability to install professional programmes for video editing, engineering, application development and video games.

However, you shouldn’t buy just any computer, as there are a huge number of combinations of components, such as processors, RAM, memory, graphics card and storage. An 800-euro computer can offer a considerable performance gain over a 1,500-euro computer poorly configured for the target task. That’s why you need expert advice on the subject to guide you in buying the right computer for your personal and professional use.

3. Our role in selecting a device

The digital world is huge and not easy to navigate. There is an excess of choice and unfortunately not all of it is good, from overpriced, underpowered devices to manufacturer-funded ‘review’ videos and omissions of accurate descriptions on online shopping sites. The choises you make under the influence of advertising may not always be correct.

Entity Systems offers expertise in selecting the right device, educating and assisting its customers to improve their understanding and integration into the digital world.

We look forward to hearing from you:
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 0699048491

Publication of decrees implementing the new law on controlling immigration and improving integration  – Part 2

Publication of decrees implementing the new law on controlling immigration and improving integration – Part 2

The Immigration Bill passed by Parliament in December 2023, thirty-five articles of which were subsequently totally or partially censured by the Constitutional Council, was promulgated on 26 January. Several provisions of the law came into force following the publication of implementing decrees on 14 and 16 July 2024.
Two decrees implementing the law were published by the Home Ministry on 14 July. The first makes it more difficult to challenge OQTFs (obligations to leave French territory) and the second provides for the decentralisation of the National Court of Asylum, with the creation of four territorial chambers in Bordeaux, Lyon, Nancy and Toulouse.
Eight decrees relating to this same law were then published in the Journal official on 16 July, a few hours before the first post-legislative Council of Ministers. Most of them are aimed at tightening the rules currently in force.
From now on, all foreign nationals applying for a residence permit in France must sign a contract of commitment to respect the principles of the Republic”, states article 46 of the law, i.e. personal freedom, freedom of expression and conscience, equality between men and women, human dignity, the motto and symbols of the Republic, territorial integrity and secularism”. This contract must be signed when a residence permit of any kind is applied for for the first time, and each time it is renewed.
A serious breach of any of these principles may result in the withdrawal of the residence permit and, ultimately, expulsion from the country.

Implementation of tougher measures

In the case of asylum seekers, those who are likely to represent a “threat to public order” may be placed in administrative detention by the Prefect if it is deemed that house arrest “is not sufficient to deal with the threat or risk of absconding”.
A time limit of 15 days has been set for issuing an OQTF from the expiry of the right to remain on French territory when OFPRA has refused to grant asylum to an applicant, or when the appeal against this decision is rejected.
End of appeal against the administrative authority’s decision to refuse to grant benefits relating to material reception conditions (CMA) intended for asylum seekers while their application is being examined, i.e. a financial allowance (ADA) and accommodation in a national reception facility.
The decree on illegal foreign nationals reorganises the powers of the Home Minister and prefects with regard to expulsions and “rationalises the organisation of expulsion commissions”. Foreign nationals placed under house arrest as part of a deportation order will now have to report to the police or gendarmerie four times a day.
With regard to the employment of foreign nationals not authorised to work, a proportional administrative fine has also been introduced to penalise their employers, replacing the special flat-rate contributions applied until now.
The amount may not exceed 5,000 times the hourly rate of the guaranteed minimum, i.e. xxfor each foreign worker employed in breach of the provisions of the Labour Code requiring foreign employees to be in possession of a document authorising them to work in France.
When the employer spontaneously pays the wages and allowances due to the employee for a period of illegal employment as referred to in article L.8252-2 of the Labour Code, the fine is reduced to 2,000 times the hourly rate of the guaranteed minimum.
The decree also specifies that a repeat offence increases the administrative fine to 15,000 times the same hourly rate of the guaranteed minimum if it occurs within 5 years of the previous offence.
European Union’s Tax Transparency Rules for Digital Platforms

European Union’s Tax Transparency Rules for Digital Platforms

Multidimension desk:
DAC7, or the obligations for platform operators, is a set of rules that applies across the European Union from January 1, 2023. These new rules aim to ensure tax transparency for digital platforms such as Uber or Deliveroo. These platforms are required to report certain information about their partners who provide services (such as meal delivery drivers, passenger transportation (VTC)) or food vendors (such as restaurants) to tax authorities. The platforms will transmit the information once a year, meaning for the year 2023, they will transmit the information in 2024, the information from 2024 in 2025, and so on.

Transactions carried out before 2023 will not be covered by DAC7. Individual entrepreneurs and legal entities (such as companies, businesses) are affected.

The following information is provided for Uber (this list also applies to Deliveroo and others)

INDIVIDUALS
– First and last name
– Main address
– Tax Identification Number (TIN)
– Value-added tax identification number (if available)
– Date of birth
– Bank account number you use to receive payments through the Uber platform
– Name of the account holder if you do not use your own bank account to perform transactions on the Uber platform
– Number of transactions you have carried out on the Uber platform in each quarter
– Total payments you have received through the Uber platform in each quarter; the commission Uber has charged you in each quarter (including any fees and taxes).

LEGAL ENTITIES
– Company name
– Main address
– Tax Identification Number (TIN)
– Value-added tax identification number (if available)
– Company registration number
– Bank account number you use to receive payments through Uber platform
– Name of the account holder if you do not use your own bank account to make transactions on Uber platform
– Number of transactions you have carried out on the Uber platform in each quarter
– Total payments you have received through Uber platform in each quarter; the commission that Uber has charged you in each quarter (including any fees and taxes).

You don’t have to do anything, the platforms will take care of transmitting the information as they have all your information. However, if any information is missing, they will contact you to gather it. If you don’t provide this information, these platforms will be forced to freeze your accounts.

Regarding the reliability of the information you provided to Uber and other companies, they will rely on the information provided during registration and also on the documents submitted (ID, Urssaf certificate, RIB, KBIS, etc.)

Although the use of information retrieved by tax authorities varies depending on the EU member state in which you operate your business, the main objective is still to verify your income statements. Therefore, it is wiser to declare the exact amounts of payments received from these platforms.

New annual income ceiling to apply for HLM in 2023

New annual income ceiling to apply for HLM in 2023

Multidimension desk:
To obtain low-cost public housing (HLM), the applicant must meet the maximum annual income ceiling limit. It depends on the type of housing, its location and the number of family members living in the housing facility

Updated each year, the income ceilings for 2023 have been raised by 3.5% in metropolitan France by an order published in the Journal Officiel on January 1, 2023. The new income ceiling limits are applicable from January 1 onward.

The annual income is the reference tax income of the year n-2.
If an applicant applies for social housing in 2023, the reference of income (référence de revenu) will be the income of 2021, as shown on the tax notice of 2022.
Annual income ceiling limits (in euros)

To know about DALO and Action Logement, read our article published previously:


How to apply for social housing (HLM)

Revaluation of CAF benefits from 1st April

Revaluation of CAF benefits from 1st April

Multidimension desk:
As every year, from 1st April, the RSA, family allowances and the activity bonus (prime d’activité) will be increased by 1.6%. This revaluation is calculated on the basis of the annual evolution of the consumer price excluding tobacco. In addition, an exceptional increase of 4% in CAF benefits had already taken place in July 2022.

A category-wise table of increased RSA amounts is given below that beneficiaries can compare according to their financial situation.

Family Allowance increase table effective from 1st April: