Lack of Dialogue Between CASS and Council for New Maternal Leave

www.elperiodic.ad DIMARTS, 10 DE JULIOL DEL 2018 el Periòdic d’Andorra 15

CONEIXEMENT SOBRE

d'Andorra L’ÚS DE LES TECNOLOGIES elelENGLISHTema PeriòdicPeriòdic del EDITION dia NewsW E D 2xx 0 SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CONTROVERSY Lack of dialogue between CASS and Council for new maternal leave Forty mothers denounced a legal vacuum for Pallarés and Bonet believe all women can access women who gave birth before the 1st of February the regulation, but company isn’t sure on the issue

MARICEL BLANCH EL PERIÒDIC ESCALDES-ENGORDANY @PeriodicAND ares de la transició (Mot- hers of transition) is a group of forty women Mwho gave birth before Fe- bruary 1, 2019, and who are currently breastfeeding and are in maternity leave. Fifteen days ago, all of them as- ked the CASS to apply the new Labor Relations Code that came into force on the 1st day and, among other measures, includes the increase of 16 to 20 weeks of rest. However, the new regulation, does not specify whether these mothers can accede to the agreement of the extension of the maternity leave, thus there is a legal vacuum in which «the right and benefit of the child should prevail» stated the spokeswoman of the group. Also, liberal councilor, Judith Pallarés, believed that this debate had already taken place in the previous Legislative Com- mission and «it became clear that, if the law is favorable to mothers and their children, they can accept it wit- A mother with her newborn. hout a doubt» although «there is no fi- 33 nal additional provision» in the text cance that has been generated, the- ternity leave will end and, therefore de a tweet, announcing that they are that specifies it. ir president, Jean Michel Rascagne- they need to know if the can count on beginning to «organize» and «work» Independent MP, Sílvia Bonet, des- res, told EL PERIÒDIC that holding an these extra four weeks or not. «Our ahead of March 8, International Wo- pite acknowledging the lack of offici- urgent meeting beforehand «is not intentions are not economical, we SÍLVIA BONET men’s Day. Although they have not al precision, also expressed support ruled out». Rascagneres assured that don’t want the money, we just want COUNCILLOR yet announced whether they will ma- for the new law being applied equa- he had read the law «thoroughly» du- to spend as much time as possible ke any kind of protest, the tweet was lly to all women. «I understand that ring the weekend and, despite having with our children and if we go back «I understand that it accompanied by a long list of the «lack it is a bit of a hassle for companies, a personal opinion, he did not want to work, we will miss the opportunity is a bit of a hassle for of labor rights of workers in Andorra». but when the law comes into force, it to make any statement, because «one to extend lactation» said the spokes- companies, but there The statement says that «women should be applied and the maternity thing is my opinion as a lawyer, and woman.Time is also precisely the re- of all nationalities and ages including leave of all mothers be extended. The- another as president of the Board of ason why the group discards to act in are not so many cases. season workers want» among other re isn’t so many cases, it is not unsol- Directors». «Without wanting to at- the judicial path, «because it can ta- It’s not unsolvable» measures, that «Andorra become a vable» stated Bonet. tack anyone» he added in reference to ke up to a year and our cause will no member of the International Labor the statements of Pallarés and Bonet, longer make sense», but by the admi- J.M. RASCAGNERES Organization (ILO) and to sign and ra- UNCLEAR LAW In spite of the confiden- «the councilors should speak more nistrative means «we will arrive until HEAD ADMINISTRATION OF CASS tify article 189 that regulates domes- ce of the two/ counsellors, the spokes- clearly» when drafting laws, because, in the end» she assured. As a matter tic and care work» or to create «spe- man lamented that when the petition in his opinion, the whole conflict lies of fact, the Minister of Social Affairs, «Without wanting to cific laws against harassment and se- to the CASS entered, «verbally», they in a «set of articles that have not been Xavier Espot, recently agreed to meet attack anyone councillors xual violence that will protect us and predicted that the resolution would specified enough». the women involved, but according should speak more provide effective ways to report the be unfavorable to them. They infor- to the spokeswoman, all he said was incident». med them that what will determine ITS A MATTER OF DAYS However, the as- that «the matter is in the hands of the clearly and thoroughly They also stated that women «re- the impact will be the Board of Direc- sociation can not afford/ to «waste ti- CASS and its Board of Directors». when drafting laws» present 70% of unqualified work» and tors that must meet on the 26th, but me», since for some of them it is on- On the other hand, the feminist they «work four times more for part-ti- given the social and political signifi- ly «a matter of days» that theur ma- group Stop Violències recently ma- me jobs compared to men». H 16 www.elperiodic.ad WEDNESDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 2019 el Periòdic News

PREPARATION OF ELECTORAL LISTS

pacts», he said, referring to avoid- ing breakups during the term. Once the CC movement has Clavera enters elections with been decided, the territorial sce- nario will have to be defined. A pri- ori, it would seem that an independent proposal such as this one would mean that the rest of par- a new national candidature ties would not present candidacy

COMÚ DE LA MASSANA and thus avoid the rupture of the He will lead the project along comú. The consulted sources, however, stated that although the hird with Raquel Fernández from option would seem to not make a Sant Julià de Lòria list, DA and L’A had not decided anything yet. EL PERIÒDIC On the other hand, a meeting ESCALDES-ENGORDANY among DA members was also held @PeriodicAND on Monday in Escaldes to close the he pre-election movements parish list. The consulted sources don’t stop for anyone. When assumed that the duo formed by everyone assumed that at Sílvia Calvó and Xavier Giménez T best voters could choose would be the best option in a par- from seven national lists –DA, PS, L’A, Third Option, SDP waiting for Andorra Sobirana and Podem–, Al- Marc Casal and fons Clavera has burst into the polit- Meritxell Alcobé ical scene with the announcement of a new candidature –which could be have refused to head the eighth–. The ex-liberal from Escal- DA’s team in the parish des assured on Monday that he had the 14 names to make the list and an- of Canillo nounced that his number two will be a woman from Sant Julià de Lòria: ish where until now they have not Raquel Fernàndez López, 42-year-old, had any problems in order to win. accountant and coach, will accompa- The Democrats have more prob- ny him in the project. lems in making a candidacy for Ca- For the moment, the new group The current members of the Comú of la Massana and members of Ciutadans Compromesos. nillo. Although they had opted for still does not want to provide more 33 Marc Casal and Meritxell Alcobé, details pending to define the place the latter confirmed to EL PERIÒD- that each person will occupy on the IC that both have rejected the pro- list and finish closing the electoral CC will make an independent posal. For the moment, therefore, programme, with which they assure the parish committee keeps strug- they are already working on. For now, gling to find candidates, since the they define themselves as a candidacy territorial list for la Massana democrat ranks admit that not of «centre-right politics but that will achieving it would be «a failure». promote leftist policies». Their idea Sílvia Calvó and Xavier majority way, it was decided that the character of CC: dialogue, con- is to defend «more conservative po- the group will set up a parish list sensus and being useful for the VICKY GRAU DA has also managed sitions» as well as «the values of An- Giménez, DA’s option on its own for the elections on 7 parish and country». The mayor to close the/ proposal that will fight dorra», but without giving up «social for Escaldes-Engordany April. of la Massana, David Baró, assured to obtain two councillors from the policies more closely linked to what As they made public through this newspaper that «we have not parish of Sant Julià. The until now is known as left-wing spectrum». On EL PERIÒDIC social networks, the proposal was talked about names» and that «we business manager of Naturlandia, an economic level, it is clear that «we ESCALDES-ENGORDANY supported by «the majority of the have not ruled out anyone». In ad- Vicky Grau, will accompany Carles must defend the small and medium After weeks of uncertainty, con- comú and a large majority of sym- dition, the idea is that if the terri- Álvarez Marfany, as this newspa- business». About Europe, they work versations and meetings to see pathizers and former elected offi- torial election is won, an own par- per could confirm. with «interesting proposals», while what the best formula was, this cials». It was also reported that a liamentary group will be formed On the other hand, PS and L’A on abortion they did not want to re- Monday evening, some light green light was authorised on the completed with a councillor from are still working on the parish list. veal anything in spite of disassociat- started to enlighten the elector- creation of an election commis- another group that would be de- The consulted sources reiterated ing the project of the pro-life associa- al scenery of the parish of la Mas- sion that will be in charge of choos- fined by means of a post-elector- that «everything is still open» and tion that Clavera would be promoting sana. Ciutadans Compromesos ing the candidates «with an inde- al pact. «We are open to post-elec- that «it is time to fit the pieces of with Simó Duró. (CC) held a meeting in which, in a pendent profile and representing tion pacts, but they must be real the puzzle». H H

ACCOUNTING

ANA / M. F. The comú paid 150,000 euros to KPMG for a feasibility report

EL PERIÒDIC euros in total, was used to finan- se the corporation considered in- ORDINO ce two reports that the corporati- teresting the offer received by Sa- On January 31st, the opposition on ordered to the company KPMG etde, it decided to commission a of the Comú of Ordino demanded to evaluate the feasibility of ente- new study to KPMG, in this particu- more information about a bud- ring Saetde’s company into Sec- lar case, which was to be the admi- get item superior to 100,000 euros noa. And they have been backed nistrative and public procedure to that appeared in the intervention up by the reports made in respon- formalize the entry of private capi- report on Secnoa’s 2017-2018 se- se to the complaints of the comú’s tal to the station. In this case, in a ason annual accounts. According opposition. contract signed in October 2017, it to the regulations, and as explai- In total, the sum is 150,000 eu- was agreed to pay the audit office ned by the liberal councillors San- ros, but it corresponds to different 100,000 euros, which were paid in dra Tudó and Eva Choy in that co- stages of this feasibility study. In March 2018. uncil meeting, the item lines over the summer of 2017, KPMG was hi- The payments were signed, in The ski station of Arcalís, during this winter season. this amount must have the joint red for an amount of 50,000 euros the first stage, by the director of 33 guarantee of all the members of to initiate the process of this offer the station, Xabier Ajona, and the the management board (at that received from the company led by second part by the then president and the managing board has been of two different reports, the comp- moment in its comú totality) to be- Joan Viladomat to buy shares from of Secnoa and mayor of Ordino, Jo- aware of it at all times. troller has considered that the come effective, which had not be- Secnoa and enter the ski station of sep Àngel Mortés. For this reason, and in addition whole process has been done with en followed in this particular ca- Ordino Arcalís. All these payments have been to the fact that these 150,000 euros transparency and the amounts are se. This item, which was of 150,000 In a second stage, and becau- reflected in the closed accounts are the global amount for the sum justifiable. H www.elperiodic.ad WEDNESDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 2019 el Periòdicel Periòdic d’Andorra News 1717

–Is there a typical student? –Our student body is very varied. We «A new school, bringing added have Andorran, Spanish and British families. Also, international families from Russia, Brazil, the Czech Repu- value to Andorra» blic and Sweden. –Could you give us an assessment of the school since it opened? LISA MASON-JONES Head teacher at the British College of Andorra –We have been very busy indeed. We

A. R. have high academic standards in all EL PERIÒDIC 2018 and now, we are in the second areas of the curriculum, especially ESCALDES-ENGORDANY term, following the Andorran calen- in English and Mathematics. We ha- @PeriodicAND dar for the academic year. We now have also developed a programme of ex- Lisa Mason-Jones is the Headteacher ve four clases, led by British teachers, tra-curricular activities. The educatio- at The British College of Andorra. The with students ranging between 3 and nal programme is well structured and school opened in September 2018 and 12 years. Our intention is to open mo- academically rigorous, following the it expands the range of educational re classes aswe gradually expand the UK National curriculum. choices for the families of the coun- age range from 3 to 18 years. try. The school is located where the old –Are all subjects taught in English? Hostel of La Comella was. –How many students do you have? –The majority of teaching is in English –44 currently. Prospective families are with highly qualified and experien- –What benefits does ‘The British Co- visiting each week and we are recrui- ced, native speaking British Class Tea- llege of Andorra’ bring to Andorra? ting students for immediate enrol- chers. In addition to this teaching, stu- –Having a British school in Andorra ment and for September 2019. dents have four hours a week of Ca- is an exciting development for the talan and an hour of Spanish with a country. We provide a quality educa- native speaking teaching of the lan- tion that is respected worldwide and guages.Older students also havean this is proven by the fact that students hour of French classes. will be able to access universities in En- gland, America and around the world, –How did you choose the location of uponcompletion of their studies. The- the school? re is no precedent of a British school –The building was chosen by our local in Andorra and, given the reputation «We provide a quality investors. Before, it was a hostel and it that British education has, this new has been an excellent building choi- opportunity and educational choice education respected ce to remodel as a school. The British for local and foreign families is a po- College of Andorra is in a beautiful lo- sitive addition.Personally, I think it worldwide, proven by cation and it is a safe and tranquil pla- brings added value to the country. the fact that students ce for children to learn. In addition, as the school continues to grow, we hope –This is the opening school year for can access institutions to have additional buildings, such as this new project. around the world» a Sports Hall and expand the already –Indeed, we opened in September Lisa Mason-Jones. excellent facilities for our students. 33 H

FACILITIES PROJECT The facilities of the Serradells, Advancement of the social except the pool, reopens tomorrow flats of the Armor Foundation EL PERIÒDIC Borras, signed a collaboration agre- The comú will apply a during normal hours: from Monday reopening is over. While this service ESCALDES-ENGORDANY ement for the assignment of « a buil- to Friday from 6.30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., can not be offered, the comú will ap- The Private Foundation Armor pro- ding that was foreseen to be able to 10% overall discount to all and on Saturdays, Sundays and ho- ply a 10% overall discount to all facil- ject that foresees the construction allocate it to people at risk of social members of the centre lidays from 10 am to 2 pm and from ties for users of the centre. The entran- of a building destined for social de- exclusion or who have social needs. 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The sports clubs ce to the Serradells is only accessible velopment is in progress. The Comú As explained, the idea was to build EL PERIÒDIC that carry out their activities in Serra- in the parking area, where a provisio- of Andorra la Vella will hold a coun- 22 homes and nine offices aimed at ESCALDES-ENGORDANY dells and since November have relo- nal tunnel has been made to allow sa- cil session on Friday in which it is public or private entities that deve- Tomorrow, the Serradells Sports Cen- cated in other areas, but they will co- fe access. Access to the centre through planned to deal with the proposed lop social and non-profit organiza- ter will reopen all facilities, with the me back to their old home over the co- the square Pierre de Coubertain is on- city-planning agreement between tions. According to the agreement, exception of the pool, after the drea- ming days, as reported from the comú ly available for people who walk on the Foundation and the corporation the Government will have to pay an dful fire on November 22nd. on the same note. Regarding the nur- the rec of Obac. Therefore, the passage for the construction of the building amount of 40,000 euros per year as a The reopening of the centre isfo- sery school, which currently has fifty through the ramp that connects the «with the use of social and healthca- consideration for the transfer of the llows the established deadlines, sin- children, also resume their daily te- parking lot with the square is closed, re equipment». in the street Ciutat use of the building. Maintenance ex- ce it had been announced that it aching at usual hours on Thursdays: both for vehicles and pedestrians.The de Valls number 49 and 69. If there penses and repairs derived from the would be operational at the end of from Monday to Friday from 7.45 a.m. comú wanted to emphasize the sup- are no unforeseen events, the pro- use of the building will be assumed this month of February. Once the to 8:30 p.m. Babies and children have port of the rest of corporations, to gua- posal should be approved without by the Ministry of Social Affairs. scaffold outside of the building has been relocated for almost three mont- rantee the sports leisure of the users any problems. The agreement must enter into been removed and thethorough cle- hs in the nursery school of Santa Colo- of the Serradells during the time of It should be noted that in July force when the building is delivered aning tasks finished in the areas not ma and El Llamp. The swimming po- closure, as well as «the understanding 2018 the Minister of Social Affairs, and will have a renewable period of affected by the fire and ventilation ol, strongly damaged by the fire, has of the users of the centres of other pa- Justice and Interior, Xavier Es- 5 years, subject to prior agreement systems, the users of the sports centr remained isolated and will remain rishes, that have experienced an alte- pot, and the president of the Priva- by the Government, for successive will be able to use the facilities agaien closed until the work that allows the ration of their capacity. te Foundation Armor, Jordi Aristot periods of 5 years. H H 18 www.elperiodic.ad WEDNESDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 2018 el Periòdic News

BASKETBALL ACB 3 Aixàs assures that Real Madrid’s threat is an «on-the-spot reaction» The white club raises a question among its members to leave the Liga Endesa after bad refereeing

MARICEL BLANCH EL PERIÒDIC tacular games such as Sunday’s», he PURITO FOR BUTHAN On March 2nd ESCALDES-ENGORDANY indicated and added that «they are and 3rd the Poliesportiu/ d’Andorra @PeriodicAND necessary». «It is difficult to imagine will host the most ambitious solidar- a competition without them», he re- ity challenge in its history: Purito for nce again, the refereeing iterated. Buthan. Organized with Caldea, the controversy became the In this regard, Real Madrid, Mora- earnings will go to Unicef. star of the Copa del Rey, Banc’s next rival, proposed a consul- In this regard, Joaquim Purito Ro- Othis time due to the de- tation among its members to decide dríguez gives his name to an initia- cisions made on the last seconds of whether to continue in the competi- tive that wants to travel the 7,848 kil- the final between Real Madrid and tion if it did not remove the referees ometres that separate Andorra from Barça Lassa which gave the victory to of the final indefinitely. In addition, Buthan, where Unicef Andorra has the Blaugranes. In this regard, Gor- the Association of Basketball Refe- a collaborative programme. In this ka Aixàs, president of MoraBanc An- rees issued a statement recognizing way, with the effort of the partici- dorra, said that «everyone saw them» «the existence of serious errors at the pants in seven spinning classes, the and that «I have the same opinion». end of the game» affirming that «we event will end on MoraBanc’s court In addition, he explained that there accept and respect the decision that at the half-time of the match against were two situations in which the ref- the ACB can take in relation to these Real Madrid, where Purito and four erees were «unfortunate». errors». They also reminded that «we runners will cycle the last metres. Eleven seconds before the end of are human and we make mistakes», Thus, Caldea will provide all the the game, a clear foul by Anthony although «we will keep working to necessary equipment. In each class, Randolph on Chris Singleton was try to avoid them». there will be 50 bicycles and each not called which would have cer- Antonio Martín, president of the class costs 15 euros except for the tified Barça’s win. Then, almost at ACB, also admitted that «several seri- one at 6 pm with Purito Rodríguez the buzzer, a decisive basket by An- ous refereeing mistakes were made» which costs 25. te Tomic was considered valid as in the last plays of the final, which Pedregal, Alberch, Purito and Aixàs in Caldea, this Monday. In this context, the club’s presi- the referees believed that he had re- generated great controversy and mo- 33 dent, Gorka Aixàs, wanted to thank ceived an illegal block although the tivated a protest of the white club af- «Caldea for the collaboration and ball touched the ring previously. ter losing by 93 to 94. He also empha- enough», he reiterated. Felipe Reyes Joaquim Rodriguez for his predispo- Therefore, after the threats of Re- sized that «we must learn to accept The ACB recognizes also exploded, who called the refe- sition to help us». «It is a pleasure for al Madrid to leave the competition, human errors» and that «technical «the existence of serious rees «thieves» and said that it was us to collaborate with Unicef again Aixàs stressed that «I cannot imag- training must be improved in a con- «a fucking theft», «and let everyone with whom we have been organiz- ine an ACB without Madrid» and re- tinuous way throughout the sea- errors at the end of the know it, two years in a row, this is ing initiatives for years now», he add- iterated that «although they have son». «This will be a priority», he in- game» but also reminded a robbery, it’s very clear, clearly a ed. threatened to leave, everything is a sisted. that «we are human» block», he said very angrily. For her part, Marta Alberch, from result of the controversy, an on-the- These statements came after Juan In spite of this, the reaction was Unicef, explained that «the aid that spot reaction for how the final end- Carlos Sánchez, director of Real Ma- not the same on the part of Madrid in can be reached is important because ed». «We all know that they are the drid’s basketball team, exploded: the match against MoraBanc when the collaboration projects that we driving force of the competition and «Last year we remained silent, but the famous backcourt violation of are achieving with Buthan are abso- that their rivalry provides us spec- this time we won’t». «We’ve had the Copa del Rey took place. lutely fundamental». H

SKI ALPINE SKIING MOTORSPORT RESULTS 3 GRANDVALIRA 3 Puig finishes 2nd at the giant Plaus and De of the European Cup in Zagreb la Casa win

EL PERIÒDIC ing the first position. at Coll del ZAGREB RIUS, 46TH Àlex Rius finished in The Paralympic skier Roger Puig 46th place/ at the first qualify- Pollastre competed at the giant race of the ing round of the Junior World European Cup in Zagreb, Croatia, Championship of Val di Fassa, in EL PERIÒDIC on Monday, where he managed to the north of Italy. He did so with ARENYS DE MUNT finish in second place. In the first a time of 1.23.97, at 3.63 from The drivers of the Automò- run, he finished in second place the best register. bil Club d’Andorra had a good

The construction of the stands for the World Cup Finals, on Monday. after making an important mis- H FAE start of the season in the fifth 33 take in the last wall edition of la Pujada al Coll del which removed him Pollastre. Ramonet Plaus (Silver The installation of stands from the first posi- Car S3) won in the category CM/ tion. However, in the Promotion, while Gerard de la for the Finals have started second run, he was Casa (Seat Córdoba WRC) also able to maintain his achieved a victory in the Tour- EL PERIÒDIC accommodate a total of 1,500 people. spot. ism category. For his part, Edgar CANILLO In this way, the entry to the stands The winner of the Montellà (Speed Car GT-R), fin- Grandvalira started this Monday for the general public will be free and race was the Slove- ished in the second position of the installation of the stands for can be accessed on foot from the bot- nian Martin France CM/Promotion. the World Cup Finals that will take tom part of the two slopes. while the third place The organizers prepared the place from March 11th to the 17th. It should be remembered that the was the Frenchman usual route for this race, that is, The technical team transported all Àliga will host the speed disciplines Pierre Creton. the hill of 3.45 kilometres that the necessary equipment to the Àli- on the 13th and 14th while the Avet In this regard, Pu- is part of the BV-5031 road, lo- ga slope to build the stands that will will host the rest of the tests from the ig achieved this re- cated in Arenys de Munt. It was a have a total capacity of 1,000 people. 15th until the end of the event: the sult with complicat- fast track with a total elevation On the other hand, the stands at team competition, the Alpine Team ed slope conditions of 118 metres and an average the foot of the Avet slope in Soldeu Event, with Andorran participation and managed to add gradient of 3.3%. A maximum will begin to be installed later this and the slalom and giant slalom, 80 points to the gen- of five races were scheduled to month. In this case, the technical which will be the last two races of the eral ranking, where start the 2019 Mountain Cham- team will prepare an installation to competition. he is now approach- Roger Puig at the European Cup in Zagreb. pionship of Catalonia. H 33 H