Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

Labour Statistics Convention, 1985 (No. 160) - Panama (Ratification: 1996)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in response to its previous comments. It notes with particular interest that, since 2002, the Statistics and Census Department of the General Auditor regularly consults employers’ and workers’ organizations on matters relating to definitions and new statistical methodology (Article 3 of the Convention) and that the most recent employment data, collected by means of surveys in establishments, is now communicated regularly for publication in the ILO Yearbook of Labour Statistics.

Article 9, paragraph 1. The Committee notes with satisfaction that statistics on hours of work, on average earnings and on the average number of hours actually worked, cover all workers, and that statistics on the time rates of wages, by economic sector, both disaggregated by sex and otherwise, were communicated for publication in the 2005 Yearbook of Labour Statistics. The Committee notes, however, that no measure has been envisaged to extend the geographical coverage of the statistics on hours of work and earnings and that, according to the Government, this is due not only to financial constraints but also to the fact that, until 1981, the scope of the information provided by the factories survey on this matter was too limited to be useable. The Committee asks the Government to indicate whether statistics on hours of work are compiled separately for employees.

Article 9, paragraph 2. The Committee notes that statistics on average earnings and normal hours of work have not been compiled, with the exception of information on average wage rates. The Committee therefore asks the Government to indicate whether it envisages taking measures to compile these statistics in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Paragraph 4(1) and (2) of Recommendation No. 170 (in accordance with Article 2); if so, what are these measures and, if not, what are the reasons for failing to comply with this provision.

Article 10. The Government is requested to indicate: (i) the measures envisaged, if any, to extend the coverage of the statistics; and (ii) whether statistics on the structure of earnings and hours of work are actually compiled, in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Paragraph 5(1) and (2) of Recommendation No. 170 (in accordance with Article 2). The Committee also draws the Government’s attention to the obligation to communicate relevant statistics on a regular basis (Article 5) and the corresponding methodological information and updates thereof, if any (Article 6).

Article 12. While noting with interest that full effect is given to this provision, the Committee asks the Government, once again, to indicate which of the international standards was used as a basis for calculating the consumer price index (in the context of Article 2).

Article 13. The Committee notes with satisfaction that this provision is, at present, applied fully. Nevertheless, given the irregular frequency of surveys on household expenditure and income, the most recent having been carried out in 1997-98, the Committee asks the Government to keep the ILO informed of any developments in respect of statistics on this matter and to indicate whether it envisages reducing the period of time between two surveys.

Article 14. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the Social Insurance Fund (CSS) had drawn attention to the difficulties caused by the collection of information by different agencies, stating that the production of statistical information was dispensed among different agencies and that such information was out of date and not always compiled for the purposes of accident prevention. The CSS also indicated that there was considerable under-reporting of occupational diseases either because they were not declared by the workers or employers or because they were not recognized as such by the medical services of the CSS. Since the Government said that it had requested the technical assistance of the Office to find a solution to the processing of relevant information, the Committee expressed the hope that the compilation of data could be improved and asked the Government to indicate: (i) the steps envisaged to extend the coverage of these statistics to include the self-employed and work time lost; (ii) the international standards taken into consideration (in the context of Article 2); and (iii) the steps envisaged to publish methodological information (Article 6). The Committee asks the Government, once again, to communicate this information.

Article 15. The Committee asks the Government, once again, to indicate: (i) which of the international standards are used (in the context of Article 2); and (ii) which steps, if any, are envisaged to publish methodological information (Article 6).

Article 16. The Committee notes that modifications to the methodology used in the survey on non-profit enterprises were still being made when the Government’s report was communicated and that, as a result, the information concerning Article 11 (the requirements of which are not accepted) was not available. Reiterating its previous comments, the Committee asks the Government to indicate whether it is envisaged to collect, compile and publish statistics on the level and structure of average labour cost by economic activity, in accordance with the guidelines contained in Recommendation No. 170, Paragraph 6. It expresses its hope, once again, that the Government will continue to supply any statistics compiled on the subjects covered by Article 11, as well as particulars of their sources, methodology and publication, in accordance with Article 16(4).