The Company grants to its employees in Mexico and abroad, different types of benefits as described below and as detailed in note 22.
i. Defined contribution plan
A defined contribution plan is a post-employment benefit plan under which an entity pays fixed contributions to a separate entity and has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further amounts. Obligations for contributions to defined contribution plans are recognized as an employee benefit expense in profit and loss in the periods during which the related services are rendered by employees. Prepaid contributions are recognized as an asset to the extent that the Company has the right to a cash refund or a reduction in future payments is available. Contributions to a defined contribution plan due more than 12 months after the end of the period in which the employees render the service are discounted at present value.
ii. Defined benefit plan
A defined benefit plan is a post-employment benefit plan other than a defined contribution plan. It is funded by contributions made by the Company and is intended to meet the Company’s labor obligations to its employees.
The Company´s net obligations in respect of defined benefit plans is calculated separately for each plan, estimating the amount of the future benefit that the employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior years; that benefit is discounted to determine its present value, and is reduced by the fair value of the plan assets. The discount rate is the yield at the end of the reporting period on high quality corporate bonds (or governmental bonds in the instance that a deep market does not exist for high quality corporate bonds, which is the case in Mexico) that have maturity dates approximating the terms of the Company´s obligations and that are denominated in the currency in which the benefits are expected to be paid. Net interest is calculated by applying the discount rate at the beginning of the period to the net defined benefit liability or asset. Defined benefit costs are categorized as follows:
| · | Service cost (including current service cost, past service cost, as well as gains and losses on curtailments and settlements) |
| · | Net interest expense or income |
The Company presents service cost as part of operating income in the consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income (loss). Gains and losses for reduction of service are accounted for as past service costs.
The calculation is performed annually by a qualified actuary using the projected unit credit method. When the calculation results in a benefit to the Company, the recognized asset is limited to the present value of any economic benefits available in the form of refunds from the plans or reductions in future contributions to the plans. When the benefits of a plan are modified or improved, the portion of the improved benefits related to past services by employees is recognized in profit and loss on the earlier of the following dates: when there is a modification or curtailment to the plan, or when the Company recognizes the related restructuring costs or termination benefits.
Remeasurement adjustments, comprising actuarial gains and losses, the effect of changes to the asset ceiling (if applicable) and the return on plan assets (excluding interest), are reflected immediately with a charge or credit recognized in other comprehensive income in the period in which they occur. Remeasurement recognized in other comprehensive income is reflected immediately in equity and is not reclassified to profit or loss.
iii. Short-term benefits
Short-term employee benefits are valued on a non-discounted basis and are expensed as the respective services are rendered.
A liability is recognized for the amount expected to be paid under the short-term cash bonus plans or statutory employee profit sharing (PTU for its acronym in Spanish), if the Company has a legal or constructive obligation to pay such amounts as a result of prior services rendered by the employee, and the obligation may be reliably estimated.
iv. Termination benefits from constructive obligations
The Company recognizes, as a defined benefit plan, a constructive obligation from past practices. The liability accrues based on the services rendered by the employee. Payment of this benefit is made in one installment at the time that the employee voluntarily ceases working for the Company.
