More British Ski Instructors Jailed in France

Stop the French bashing, every ski instructor in France (from all nations) is in complete agreement. His employees are not properly qualified simple as that. No different to people requiring an international driving license or taking new test when living in some countries. Is it racist when my Chinese friend needs to get a driving license in Norway? Guy has been basically been cheating British instructors who have invested time and effort into reaching pinnacle of their chosen profession.

They were not "working within the law" otherwise they wouldn't be arrested. And French-bashing and accusations of racism is totally pointless here - French nationals have to jump through the same hoops to obtain qualifications as foreigners. A good summary of the situation is given here: http://www.snoworks.co.uk/blog/?p=6973

Ok, I apologise, but an article I read stated that the business owner had been wrongfully arrested before and was fighting that issue whilst being arrested again recently, and that he had done everything to comply with regulations in employing staff.
If that is or was the case, then it would stink of the locals just being peed off with an outsider working successfully within their community, which ultimately would simply be a case of not wanting the British to take the work. But if in fact he HAS been breaking the law, then I withdraw what I said, and he should face any consequences of not complying. But like I said, I had read that he had in fact complied with everything in running his business.

I know this is a different issue to the ski hosting issue with the tour operators, but if these people and companies are in fact breaking the law, why is there such an outcry in this country about it?

Ian, I apologise and take back what I said.

Oh dear. I just retraced and the main article I read was in fact in the Daily Mail online, which maybe has a certain slant on it.
I sincerely apologise and depart this discussion forthwith.

I have a scepticism in relationship to the French and their interpretation of and how they apply laws. There is a certain croniism and who you know to how laws are enforced which is part of their culture so it seems to me. In fact I wish the UK would learn something from their ability to enforce laws that suit and ignore those that don't. It does appear to me that they are happy to look after their own by ignoring some rules but then apply these same rules to others.
On this issue if the ski instructor is not abiding by the law then so be it. I would like to know that there is a level playing field though.
What I do know is that there are too many tour operators that flaunt rules or try to by-pass them in various ways. Vehicles that are not legal to "trade" in France is an example. Not having the relevant MOT equivalent or insurance to carry paying guests for example.
Employing staff in ways that are contrary to French employment law and getting round this by saying the staff are employed in the UK. French Tax avoidance would be another example.
There are loads of companies that may be classed as "British" that are fully legal and comply with local rules and laws but enough that are borderline or blatantly ignore local laws to cause local officials to be sceptical.
Mind you there are I am sure still an enormous number of French businesses that flout their own rules and laws.
:roll:
I wonder how many resort based staff are working in the black economy? This figure used to be enormous and probably still is. Mind you a good number of locals get away with it year after year.
Much of my scepticism is based on very old knowledge and my own dealings with the French and trying to run a business in France years ago but I do doubt much has changed.
I have personal experience of the phone calls going out when the police were doing their rounds to check for illegal workers, a couple of hours warning gives plenty of time to send home anyone employed on the black.
Similarly with drinks licences and those places not supposed to sell drinks without meals. Easy to avoid trouble when you know it is the day for a check.
My point (sorry for long winded rant) is that I don't think there ever has or is ever likely to be a level playing field for ostensibly British or foreign businesses working in France - just not in the nature of life. I think it really difficult to abide by French rules and regulations and maintain any competitive nature with local businesses.
Hence a temptation to simply try to get away with it! And many people do for years and years.
Basic fairness as I and possibly most Brits would understand it is something that in my view is contra to the French way of doing things. For example; I was in dispute over money when I had a business in France. It went to court. The judge was the brother-in-law of my protagonist! When my lawyer questioned this she was ignored. Not surprisingly I lost the case and had to appeal to a higher court where I won on the grounds that the previous judge had refused to accept us giving our main testament and arguments! Would this happen anywhere else?

The reality is wherever you live you have to accept the law of the land.

Unfortunately some countries in Europe enforce the law differently for locals compared with foreign residents.

Hopefully the EU will eventually ensure laws are applied even handedly.

The anti-EU lobbyists will cite it as an example of why the EU is doomed to fail.