Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Labour Statistics Convention, 1985 (No. 160) - Poland (Ratification: 1991)

The Committee notes the observations of the Independent and Self-Governing Trade Union “Solidarnosc”, received on 26 August 2015, and the Government’s responses received on 14 October 2015.

Articles 7 and 8 of the Convention. Employment, unemployment and underemployment statistics. Statistics of the structure and distribution of the economically active population. The Committee notes that the Government derives reliable quarterly and annual statistics on the economically active population, employment, unemployment and time-related unemployment, from the quarterly Labour Force Survey (LFS). These statistics and the corresponding methodological data are regularly supplied to the ILO Department of Statistics for dissemination through its website (ILOSTAT). The most recent LFS figures relate to 2014. The Committee also notes that the most recent population census was carried out by the Central Statistical Office (CSO) in 2011. Census data and information on methodology was supplied by the Government for publication on ILOSTAT. The Committee requests the Government to continue to supply data and information on the methodology used in the application of these provisions. It also invites the Government to provide information on any plans for conducting the next census. Please also include information on any developments in relation to the implementation of the Resolution concerning statistics of work, employment and labour underutilization (Resolution I), adopted by the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians (October 2013).

Article 16. Acceptance of obligations. The Committee welcomes the information provided in the Government’s report indicating that statistics on remuneration and working time are collected on an ongoing basis and cover all types of economic activity. Statistics on monthly earnings continue to be collected and compiled and the quarterly LFS continues to collect data on the number of hours worked in primary and secondary jobs, disaggregated by sex and for both full and part-time workers, despite the non-acceptance of Article 9(1). Annual statistics on average monthly earnings of employees from establishment surveys and statistics on average hours actually worked per week, from the LFS, have been regularly transmitted to the ILO Department of Statistics. The latest data refer to 2014. In respect of Article 9(2), the Government indicates that the representative study on the structure of wages and salaries by occupation, carried out every two years, compiles salaries and hourly wage rates by occupation, with data disaggregated by type of activity and published in a report entitled Structure of Wages and Salaries by Occupation. The Committee notes, however, that the information provided in the referenced publication refers to statistics on earnings and not to statistics on wage rates. The information provided does not indicate that statistics of time wage rates and normal hours of work are currently compiled. The Committee thus reiterates its request that the Government indicate whether measures have been taken or are envisaged to compile such statistics through the earnings structure survey or through extrapolation from any other available source. The Committee also invites the Government to continue to provide information on the compilation of statistics on wage structure and distribution and labour cost, stating their effect with regard to the possibility of accepting the obligations under Articles 9, 10 and 11 of the Convention.

Application of the Convention in practice. In its observations, Solidarnosc refers to a programme of statistical surveys of trade unions initiated in recent years by the CSO. It indicates that the scope of the research, particularly in relation to the economic potential of the trade union movement in the country is a matter of major concern. Consultations were held between trade union representatives and the CSO in which the trade unions attempted unsuccessfully to dissuade the CSO from carrying out the study. Solidarnosc also notes that a subsequent study of union structures at various levels was carried out without appropriate arrangements. It considers that such actions may threaten the independence of trade unions in Poland and may be used to acquire information to be used for political objectives. Moreover, trade union requests to carry out statistical research in the coming years on specific topics are not adequately covered. In its reply, the Government indicates that the CSO launched the study on actions of trade unions and their socio-economic conditions due to statistical needs. The study aimed to collect information on the development of the non profit sector and to broaden information for purposes of national accounts and labour market statistics. The Government also states that other institutions, including the ILO, have raised the need to include trade unions in statistical observations and that, since 2008, the CSO has examined other types of social and political organizations. The Government indicates that trade unions, including Solidarnosc, were consulted in advance of the study. In working meetings concerning the programme for statistical studies of public statistics for 2014, in which Solidarnosc and other trade unions participated, CSO representatives presented substantive grounds for including the trade union study in the programme, pointing out that trade unions are part of the non-profit sector, which should be studied due to the need to provide complete national accounts as required by European law. In addition, Solidarnosc participated in working meetings on public statistics, including in relation to the draft programme of statistical studies of the public statistics for 2016. Solidarnosc proposed broadening the scope of the studies to include issues such as healthy life years indicators, atypical forms of employment, young people, migrant workers and lifelong education. CSO studies have been done on some of the issues proposed and other issues, such as migration for work abroad, are under consideration for possible inclusion. The Government indicates that cooperation between the CSO and Solidarnosc continues to be pursued in the form of working meetings. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on measures taken or envisaged to address concerns expressed by Solidarnosc as well as on the nature and content of the cooperation between Solidarnosc and the CSO.