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

Labour Statistics Convention, 1985 (No. 160) - Portugal (Ratification: 1993)

The Committee notes the observations of the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers – National Trade Unions (CGTP–IN) and of the General Workers’ Union (UGT), incorporated into the Government’s report.

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 welcomes the detailed statistical information provided by the Government and notes that it continues to regularly supply statistics to the ILO Department of Statistics for dissemination through its website (ILOSTAT). The main source of information on the labour force, employment, unemployment and visible underemployment continues to be the quarterly Labour Force Survey (LFS). Reliable quarterly and annual statistics on the labour force, employment, unemployment and time-related underemployment are derived from the LFS and are disseminated through the website of the Instituto Nacional de Estatística (National Institute of Statistics (INE)). In 2014, the INE began to produce LFS estimates of the main labour market indicators on a monthly basis (in addition to the usual quarterly estimates), thereby satisfying a specific requirement of the Principal European Economic Indicators (PEEIs), a set of economic indicators for the European Union, and making it possible to obtain monthly estimates related to successive three-month sets (moving quarters) to assure consistency with the quarterly estimates. In its observations, the UGT welcomes the production and publication of labour market indicators from the LFS on a monthly basis. The Committee notes that data on the economically active population derived from population censuses are regularly compiled and collected. The most recent round of the Population and Housing Census of Portugal was conducted in June 2011. The Committee requests that the Government 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 population 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).

Articles 9 and 11, 14 and 15. Statistics compiled pursuant to the Convention. The Committee notes that statistics on average monthly and hourly earnings (hours paid for) are collected annually from the Quadros de Pessoal. Statistics refer to October of each year, cover all main branches of economic activity and are disaggregated by sex. The latest data in this regard refer to 2013. It also notes that statistics on average hours actually worked (in main and secondary activities) are collected from the quarterly LFS carried out by the INE. Statistics cover all main branches of economic activity and are disaggregated by sex. The latest data in this regard refer to 2014. With respect to Article 11, the Committee notes that 2014 data on average hourly labour costs in manufacturing collected from the Inquérito ao Custo da Mão de Obra have been provided to the ILO Department of Statistics for dissemination on ILOSTAT. With respect to statistics of occupational injuries and occupational diseases (Article 14), as well as statistics of industrial disputes (Article 15), the Committee notes the detailed information provided by the Government in reply to its previous comments and notes that such statistics are also regularly submitted to the ILO Department of Statistics. The Committee notes the observations of the CGTP–IN regarding the dissolution of the National Centre for the Protection against Occupational Diseases. In its response, the Government indicates that all activities formerly conducted by that body have been taken over by other agencies. While both the CGTP–IN and UGT acknowledge that statistics are produced with respect to all areas covered by the Convention, both workers’ organizations indicate that weaknesses and gaps remain in the labour statistics produced by the Government. The Committee requests that the Government continue to provide updated statistical information to the ILO Department of Statistics (Article 6). It also requests the Government to provide information on any changes made to the labour statistics compiled and published, following consultations with the social partners (Article 3).