【Unlocking Word Meanings】
今日の単語・フレーズ
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. strike [strahyk] (n.) – a group effort to stop working in order to protest or make demands
Example: The employees went on a strike to demand for higher wages.
2. fixture [FIKS-cher] (n.) – a soccer game that usually lasts 90 minutes
Example: Soccer teams play a number of fixtures in one season.
3. tax residence [taks REZ-i-duh ns] (n.) – the permanent address where the person pays his or her taxes even when he or she leaves the country
Example: Mr. Kawashima has houses in different countries but his tax residence is still in Japan.
4. stand one’s ground [stand wuhns ground] (idiom.) – to maintain one’s opinions
Example: The female lawmaker stood her ground against violence on women.
5. collective [kuh-LEK-tiv] (adj.) – combined, as a whole
Example: The effective protest was a result of the collective efforts of the employees.
【Article】
ニュース記事
Read the text below.
French football clubs might go on strike to protest against the 75% tax on millionaire players.
The executive committee of the UCPF (Union of Professional Football Clubs) has agreed to protest in some way against the super tax. It held a general assembly last October 24 to finalize its plans. The proposals include not playing in weekend fixtures.
With the new policy, companies will pay the 75% tax rate for their employees with annual salaries exceeding one million euros. This tax policy was included in President Francois Hollande's [frans WAH ho LAHND] election proposals. It will be applied on earnings starting 2013 and will be part of the 2014 budget.
Last September, Valerie Fourneyon, the sports minister, confirmed that the football clubs are not exempted from the super tax. Therefore, some football players are considering seeking tax residency in other countries like Belgium and Britain.
With the new tax rate, football clubs will pay an extra 50,000 to 20 million euros depending on their size and members. Clubs say that they will be at the brink of bankruptcy after a year of losing around 80 million euros. Frederic Thiriez, a professional football league player, also says that France will lose its best players and its clubs' competitiveness in Europe will decline.
Still, the government is standing its ground. Miss Fourneyon said that the country is recovering its economy and it should be a collective effort. Online polls on French news and sports websites also show that the general public was against any exemption.
|
【Viewpoint Discussion】
ディスカッションテーマ
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
· Do you agree that the French football clubs should not be exempted in the tax increase? Why or Why not?
· Why is it important to pay taxes?
Discussion B
· Is going on strike an effective way to express one’s opinions? Why do you think so?
· What other ways can be used to express one’s opinions? Please explain briefly.
