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

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Article 3 of the Convention. Consultations with workers’ and employers’ organizations. The Committee requests the Government to provide information concerning the manner in which the workers’ and employers’ organizations are consulted in order that their needs are taken into account and their collaboration is ensured in designing or revising the concepts, definitions and methodology used in the collection, compilation and publication of the statistics required under this Convention.

Articles 7 and 8 of the Convention. Statistics of employment, unemployment and underemployment. Statistics on the structure and distribution of the economically active population. The Committee notes that the statistics on the economically active population, employment, unemployment, and visible underemployment continue to be regularly communicated to the ILO Department of Statistics to be posted on the ILOSTAT website. It also notes that these statistics come from the labour market survey (Encuesta de Mercado Laboral) carried out twice a year. The Committee notes, however, that the Government does not provide information concerning the most recent population and housing census. The Committee requests the Government to continue to regularly provide to the ILO Department of Statistics updated statistical data on employment, unemployment, underemployment and the distribution of the economically active population. It also requests the Government to provide information concerning: (i) the most recent population and housing census; (ii) the schedule for planned future censuses; and (iii) the definitions, concepts and methodology used in the context of the country’s population census. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the implementation of theResolution concerning statistics on work relationships, adopted by the International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS) at its 20th session in 2018 (Resolution I), and the implementation of the Resolution concerning statistics on the informal economy, adopted by the ICLS at its 21st session in 2023 (Resolution I).

Article 10. Statistics of wage structure and distribution. The Committee notes the statistical information provided by the Government concerning the structure and distribution of wages, covering workers and employees in the main branches of economic activity. It notes that this information comes from the quarterly economic survey carried out by the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses. The Committee requests the Government to provide this information to the ILO Department of Statistics to be posted on the ILOSTAT website.

Article 13. Statistics of household income and expenditures. Further to its previous comment concerning the intervals between surveys of household income and expenditure, the Committee notes that, due to the financial constraints imposed, the intervals between the surveys will be kept at ten years. The Committee also notes that the results of the latest survey carried out in 2017–18 are available. The Committee requests the Government to continue to: (i) regularly provide the relevant statistics; and (ii) provide information on any developments or changes that would affect the application of Article 13 of the Convention.

Article 14. Statistics of occupational injuries and occupational diseases. The Committee notes that the statistics on occupational injuries come from the labour inspection records and are communicated to the ILO Department of Statistics via the annual questionnaire, with the latest statistics dating from 2023. Highlighting the decision of the International Labour Conference at its 110th session in June 2022 to recognize a safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work, the Committee requests the Government to: (i) provide information on any developments concerning the production and publication of statistics on occupational accidents and diseases; (ii) continue to regularly provide relevant statistics; and (iii) provide updated information on the sources, concepts, definitions and methodology used for the collection and compilation of data.

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

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government in reply to its previous request concerning the calculation of the consumer price index (Article 12 of the Convention), statistics on occupational injuries and diseases, and also on industrial disputes (Articles 14 and 15).

Article 7. Statistics of employment, unemployment and underemployment. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report regarding the compilation of ongoing statistics of the economically active population, employment, unemployment and visible underemployment, so that they are representative of the country as a whole. The Government regularly supplies statistics on the economically active population and methodological information to the ILO Department of Statistics for publication in the ILOSTAT database. The Committee invites the Government to indicate whether any action has been taken to implement the Resolution concerning statistics of work, employment and labour underutilization (Resolution I), adopted by the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians (in October 2013).

Article 9(1) and (2). Compilation of statistics of average earnings and hours of work. Compilation of statistics of time rates of wages and normal hours of work. Communication of statistics. The Government indicates that in the context of statistical studies geared to enterprises, such as the survey of non-financial enterprises and the survey of employment, sales and production, the variables in average earnings are studied but calculations are not updated. The Committee notes that statistics of hours usually worked derive from the public labour market survey. The most recent statistics, disaggregated by sex, are for 2014. With regard to Article 9(2), the Government indicates that the statistics of time rates of wages and normal hours of work are not being compiled. The Committee requests the Government once again to supply up-to-date statistics as soon as they are available and up-to-date information on the definitions and methodology used for the collection of statistics of wage rates actually paid and normal hours of work. The Committee also requests the Government to take the necessary steps to compile statistics of time rates of wages and normal hours of work.

Article 10. Statistics of wage structure and distribution. The Government indicates that in the context of statistical studies geared to enterprises, such as the survey of non-financial enterprises and the survey of employment, sales and production, neither earnings nor employee hours of work but the productive and financial structure of enterprises are studied. The Committee requests the Government to take the necessary steps to compile statistics of wage structure and distribution covering workers and employees in important branches of economic activity, in conformity with the provisions of Article 10 of the Convention and Paragraph 5(1) and (2) of the Labour Statistics Recommendation, 1985 (No. 170).

Article 13. Statistics of household expenditure. The Government states that the survey of household income and expenditure is carried out every ten years. There is no plan to reduce the interval between surveys. The next survey is planned for 2017–18. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any developments regarding the reduction of intervals between surveys and to provide the results of the next survey of household income and expenditure as soon as they are available.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Article 9(1)–(2) of the Convention. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to communicate to the ILO updated statistics as soon as they become available for dissemination (Article 9(1)) and to provide information on steps taken to compile statistics on wage rates actually paid and normal hours of work (Article 9(2)).

The Committee draws the attention of the Government to Resolution I[1] concerning the Measurement of Working Time adopted by the 18th International Conference of Labour Statistics (ICLS) in November–December 2008, which defines new concepts and measures in this area of statistics.

Article 10. The Government indicates that statistics of the distribution of employees are being compiled through administrative reports of the public and private sectors. However no information has been provided on 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 the Labour Statistics Recommendation, 1985 (No. 170), (in accordance with Article 2). The Committee again asks the Government to indicate whether it envisages to compile statistics on the structure of earnings and hours of work.

Article 12. The Committee requests the Government, once more, to indicate which of the international labour standards was used as a basis for calculation of the consumer price index (in the context of Article 2).

Article 13. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate whether it envisages to reduce the period of time between two surveys according to the recommendation of the 17th ICLS Resolution concerning household income and expenditure statistics adopted in 2003.

Article 14. The Committee expresses the hope that the compilation of data can be improved and once again requests the Government to indicate: (i) the steps taken or envisaged to extend the coverage of the statistics to include the self-employed and lost working time; (ii) the international standards taken into consideration (in the context of Article 2); and (iii) the steps taken or envisaged to publish methodological information (Article 6).

Article 15. The Committee takes due note of the information supplied by the Government in reply to its previous comments. The Committee once again requests the Government 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 the information provided by the Government that the Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censo (INEC) collects information on the labour cost by economic activity. The Committee hopes that the Government will continue to supply any statistics compiled on the subjects covered by Article 11, as well as particulars of their resources, methodology and publication, in accordance with Article 16(4).

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

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).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1999, published 88th ILC session (2000)

The Committee has noted the Government's first reports (covering the period up to June 1999) and requests the Government to provide further information on the following points.

Article 3 of the Convention. The Committee notes an apparent lack of consultation with representative organizations of employers and workers, in designing or revising the statistical concepts, definitions and methodology used. According to the Government's indications in the report, among the three principal authorities responsible for the collection and compilation of the different statistics covered by the Convention, only the Statistics and Census Department of the General Auditor of the Republic (Dirección de Estadística y Censo de la Contraloría General de la República) has consultations with subcommittees which include public employers. However no reference is made to those of workers. The Committee draws the attention of the Government to the requirement of consultation under this Article and asks the Government to indicate which steps it intends to undertake in order to consult the representative organizations of employers and workers in designing or revising the concepts, definitions and methodology used regarding labour statistics covered by the Convention.

Article 7. Noting that the most recent employment data from establishment surveys made available refer to 1994, the Committee draws the attention of the Government to the obligation to communicate the published statistics as soon as practicable to the ILO (in accordance with Article 5). If this survey is no longer conducted, it would be appreciated if the Government could say so.

Article 9(1). The Committee notes from available information that statistics of average monthly earnings are either limited to the metropolitan region (from the quarterly household survey) or to manufacturing (from the annual industrial survey). In addition, there is no evidence that any other source of data provides more frequent (monthly or quarterly) statistics of average earnings. Statistics of average hours of work (actually worked or paid for) do not seem to be compiled. The Committee therefore asks the Government to indicate what steps, if any, are envisaged to extend the coverage and to increase the frequency of statistics of average earnings, and to compile statistics of hours of work, along the lines of Paragraph 3(1) and (2) of ILO Recommendation No. 170, which the Government should take into consideration in accordance with Article 2. Otherwise, please indicate the reasons for the departures from them.

Article 9(2). The Committee notes that there is no evidence that statistics of average wage rates and normal hours of work are compiled, except for the information about statutory minimum wage rates. It asks the Government to indicate which steps, if any, are envisaged in order to compile such statistics according to the guidelines contained in Paragraph 4(1) and (2) of Recommendation No. 170 (in accordance with Article 2), or the reasons for the departures from them.

Article 10. The Committee notes that data on the distribution of employees by levels of earnings and hours of work are limited to the metropolitan region. It asks the Government to: (i) indicate which steps, if any, are envisaged to extend the coverage of the statistics; and (ii) state whether statistics on the structure of earnings and hours of work are actually compiled, according to the guidelines contained in Recommendation No. 170, Paragraph 5(1) and (2) (in accordance with Article 2).

Articles 9 and 10. In addition to the above points, the Committee draws the Government's attention to the requirements: (i) to communicate to the ILO the relevant statistics, in accordance with Article 5; and (ii) to communicate to the ILO the corresponding methodological information and its revisions, if any, in accordance with Article 6.

Article 12. The Committee asks the Government to indicate which of the international standards were taken into account regarding consumer price indices (in connection with Article 2).

Article 13. The Committee requests the Government to provide supplementary information on the practical application of concepts and to communicate the results of the 1997-98 survey to the ILO as soon as practicable in accordance with Article 5.

Article 14. The Committee notes that the Social Insurance Fund (Caja de Seguro Social -- CSS) has 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, was out of date and was not always compiled for the purposes of accident prevention. It was also noted 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. The Committee notes that the Government has requested the technical assistance of the Office, and hopes that the Government will be able to report improvements on these aspects.

The Committee also asks the Government to indicate: (i) what steps, if any, are envisaged to extend the coverage of these statistics to include the self-employed and to collect information on work time lost; (ii) which of the international standards were taken into account (in connection with Article 2); (iii) which steps, if any, are envisaged to publish methodological information (Article 6).

Article 15. The Committee asks the Government to indicate: (i) which of the international standards were taken into account (in connection with Article 2); (ii) which steps, if any, are envisaged to publish methodological information (Article 6).

Article 16. The Committee notes the information supplied in respect of Article 11, obligations under which have not been accepted. It is for the purpose of clarifying the extent to which effect is already given to them, that the Committee is making the following remarks on Article 11: statistics on the level and structure of labour cost are not compiled as such. Available data are limited to average annual compensation of employees, per employee, in manufacturing. The Committee asks the Government to state whether it is envisaged to collect, compile and publish statistics on the level and structure of average labour cost by economic activity, according to the guidelines contained in Recommendation No. 170, Paragraph 6. It hopes 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).