It is an edifying investigation for those who have never lived overseas. But, for those who live there, the Libération article depicts a reality that they experience on a daily basis. The author of the article on the “suspicious profits” of the Bernard Hayot Group in the West Indies, Emmanuel Fansten, was the guest of the Guadeloupe radio newspaper La 1ère.
We're talking about the investigation by Emmanuel Fansten, journalist for the national daily “Libération”, on the “profits suspects“from the Bernard Hayot Group (GBH). Since its publication, the group has issued a press release to defend itself and denounce attacks”unfounded and approximate“.
The author of the article entitled “High cost of living in the Antilles: the suspicious profits of the Bernard Hayot group overseas“, dated January 9, was live in the 1:00 p.m. radio news from Guadeloupe La 1erathis Monday. He was being questioned by Peggy Robert.
Emmanuel Fansten explained why, according to the information he obtained from informants (employees of the group), GBH is so powerful in the West Indies and omnipresent in mass distribution, automobiles, industry, and even agriculture. . It also details how this group manages to control the entire production chain, despite the control of the Competition Authority.
For once, suspicions of questionable practices and exorbitant margins at GBH are documented with precision, thanks to internal files never before released.
These are absolutely staggering figures, since GBH concessions achieve a net margin of between 18 and 28%. This is 3 to 4 times those practiced in mainland France. I give, as an example, that a new vehicle sold for around 20,000 euros, a dealership can earn more than 5,000 euros net, even after possible promotions and commercial efforts. So it's absolutely huge.
Emmanuel Fansten, journalist at “Libération”
This problem can be extended to mass distribution.
And, through a set of subsidiaries (Emmanuel Fansten speaks of a myriad of shell companies), dealing with the parent company, the available figures may only reflect part of the truth. The margins are thus broken down and the system put in place hides the real profits recorded.
One of the other characteristics of the Hayot group is precisely its opacity. I remind you that he [NDLR : Bernard Hayot] was recently summoned before the Fort-de-France commercial court, to force him to publish his accounts. He did it just before Christmas, but only for the social accounts and not the consolidated accounts which would be the only ones capable of measuring the extent of the Hayot system.
Emmanuel Fansten, journalist at “Libération”
Since these revelations, the leaders of the holding company have been carrying out a hunt within its ranks, in order to identify who leaked the compromising documents. Employees are under surveillance and subject to a “significant pressure“, according to Emmanuel Fansten.
The journalist recognizes the merit of these people who took risks to “advance a debate that is too sclerotic“, in a context where the “consumers toast“.
The initiatives of parliamentarians and the prefectural services have not succeeded in changing the situation.
Close to power (he came 8 times in one year to speak with the President of the Republic), elevated to the rank of Grand Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honor last July, Bernard Hayot seems untouchable .
I heard, on your antenna, the prefect say that he was going to contact the state supervisory authority and see if that justified further investigations. I'm curious to see what will happen in this regard.
Emmanuel Fansten, journalist at “Libération”
On the political side, a bill aimed at combating economic concentration could initiate the necessary change, so that West Indian consumers no longer suffer from the high cost of living.
Perhaps we are at a tipping point. Maybe things could finally change. In any case, I think that, in the current social context, GBH's practices appear all the more scandalous.
Emmanuel Fansten, journalist at “Libération”
Emmanuel Fansten says it: he himself was shocked by this sprawling system that GBH was able to deploy in order to enrich itself at the expense of the Ultramarines, who are demanding more economic justice.
TO (RE)LISTEN : The full interview with Emmanuel Fansten, journalist at Libération
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