| 3.9 | Employee benefits |
| • | Short-term employee benefits |
Short-term employee benefit obligations are measured on an undiscounted basis and are expensed when the related service is provided. A liability is recognized for the amount expected to be paid under short-term cash bonus or profit-sharing plans if the Company has a present legal or constructive obligation to pay these amounts as a result of past services provided by the employee, and the obligation can be estimated reliably.
| • | Share-based payment transactions |
The grant-date fair value of share-based payment awards granted to employees is recognized as an employee compensation expense, with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period that the employees become unconditionally entitled to the awards. The amount recognized as an expense is adjusted to reflect the number of awards for which the related service and non-market performance conditions are expected to be met, such that the amount ultimately recognized as an expense is based on the number of awards that meet the related service and non-market performance conditions at the vesting date. For share-based payment awards with non-vesting conditions, the grant-date fair value of the share-based payment is measured to reflect such conditions and there is no true-up for differences between expected and actual outcomes.
The fair value of the amount payable to employees with respect to share appreciation rights, which are settled in cash, is recognized as an expense with a corresponding increase in liabilities, over the period that the employees become unconditionally entitled to the cash payment. The liability is remeasured at each reporting date and at settlement date based on the fair value of the share appreciation rights. Any changes in the liability are recognized as employee benefit expenses in profit or loss.
The accounting for modification on plans depends on whether the modification changes the classification of the arrangement and whether the changes are beneficial to the counterparty.
If a modification increases the number of equity instruments granted, then the entity recognizes the fair value of the additional equity instruments measured at the date of modification. The additional share-based payment cost is attributed over the period from the date of modification to the end of the vesting period of the additional equity instruments.
Cancellations or settlements of equity-settled share-based payments during the vesting period by the entity or by the counterparty are accounted for as accelerated vesting; therefore, the amount that would otherwise have been recognized for services received is recognized immediately.
| • | Defined contribution plans |
A defined contribution plan is a post-employment benefit plan under which an entity pays fixed contributions into 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 or loss in the periods during which related services are rendered by employees. Prepaid contributions are recognized as an asset to the extent that a cash refund or a reduction in future payments is available. Contributions to a defined contribution plan that is due more than 12 months after the end of the period in which the employees render the service are discounted to their present value.
| • | Defined benefit plans |
The Company is the sponsor of defined benefit pension plans for some of its employees. A defined benefit plan is a post-employment benefit plans other than a defined contribution plan.
The liability recognized in the balance sheet in respect of defined benefit pension plans is the present value of the defined benefit obligation at the end of the reporting period less the fair value of plan assets. The defined benefit obligation is calculated annually by independent actuaries using the projected unit credit method.
The present value of the defined benefit obligation is determined by discounting the estimated future cash outflows, using interest rates that are denominated in the currency in which the benefits will be paid, and that have terms approximating to the terms of the related obligation.
Gains and losses arising from experience adjustments and changes in actuarial assumptions are recognized in the period in which they occur, directly in other comprehensive income.
Changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligation resulting from plan amendments or curtailments are recognized immediately in profit or loss as past service costs.
Some of the Company’s pension plan, even though it is substantially defined contribution, has a variable component, whose risk is linked to the payment of minimum benefit and to the increase of the future contributions of the sponsors in the benefits in the event of Death Tax of the active taxpayer as well as in Disability Retirement, limited to three salaries. Any actuarial liability calculated, is recorded by the Company.
| • | Other long-term employee benefit |
The Company’s net obligation in respect of long-term employee benefits other than pension plans is the amount of future benefit that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods. That benefit is discounted to determine its present value, and the fair value of any related assets is deducted. The discount rate is the yield at the reporting date of the financial statements for the high credit quality bonds, and 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. The calculation is performed using the projected unit credit method. Any actuarial gains and losses are recognized in profit or loss in the period in which they arise.