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Labour Statistics Convention, 1985 (No. 160) - Colombia (RATIFICATION: 1990)

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report and the observations of the Single Confederation of Workers of Colombia (CUT), received on 31 August 2014.

Articles 7 and 8 of the Convention. Statistics of employment, unemployment, and underemployment. Statistics of the structure and distribution of the economically active population. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning the labour market. The CUT indicates in its observations that the unemployment rate in June 2014 (estimated at 9.2 per cent) was undervalued, as a result of the inclusion of persons in the informal economy in the calculation of employment rates. The CUT considers that it is necessary to adjust the statistical indicators of employment to internationally recognized standards, which would involve disaggregating workers who are in precarious work in the statistics of formal employment. The CUT indicates that the Government should refrain from modifying measurement methodologies without the tripartite approval of the social partners. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing the ILO with the labour statistics required by the Convention. Please also indicate whether effect has been given to the resolution concerning statistics of work, employment and labour underutilization (Resolution I), adopted by the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians (October 2013).

Article 9(2). Compilation of statistics on time rates of wages and normal hours of work. Communication of statistics. The Committee notes that Article 9 is not among the provisions of which the obligations were accepted by the Government when ratifying the Convention. The Committee recalls that the reports provided by the Government should include information on the position of national law and practice on the subjects covered by the Articles of Part II in respect of which it has not accepted the obligations (Article 16(2)). The Committee notes that the Government intends to examine the possibility of providing the ILO with data on hourly earnings, by economic branch and occupational situation, so as to supplement the data normally published. The Committee requests the Government to keep the ILO informed of any developments in this regard.

Article 10. Statistics of wage structure and distribution. The Government indicates that the calculation of the employed population between 2008 and 2013 was carried out on the basis of the data of the Major Integrated Household Survey (GEIH). The National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) is working on the design of a bulletin of labour earnings which would be published every six months. The Committee requests the Government to provide the ILO with the information available on the methodology used for the compilation of the abovementioned statistics.

Article 11. Statistics of labour cost. The Government indicates that the DANE has information on the average cost of labour in industry, commerce and services, but that it is still necessary to extend such data to other sectors. The DANE is assessing the possibility of including other representative sectors of activity, such as the agricultural sector. The Committee notes that the Government has not provided the ILO Department of Statistics with updated statistics on labour cost. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures adopted to extend the concept of compensation of employees to the full measurement of labour cost, and to compile and publish statistics on the level and structure of labour cost. Please also provide the ILO with updated statistics on labour cost.

Article 13. Statistics of household expenditure. The Government indicates that it is planning to carry out the National Survey of Income and Expenditure in 2016 and 2017. The Committee also notes that, when the survey has been carried out, the Government will examine the possibility of conducting such surveys at shorter intervals so that the gap between each survey is no greater than five years. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any developments on the reduction of the intervals between each survey.

Article 14. Occupational injuries and diseases. The Committee notes with interest the progress achieved in the compilation of statistics of occupational injuries and diseases. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on any developments in this regard.

Article 15. Statistics of industrial disputes. The Government refers to the introduction of a tool to gather information on the administrative activities of labour inspectors, thereby facilitating the administration and follow-up of data at the municipal, departmental and national levels. The Government adds, at the beginning of 2014, work was undertaken to improve the tool, with emphasis on the establishment of control mechanisms for the recording of data. The Committee notes that this tool may contribute to the improvement of the compilation of labour market data. The Committee requests the Government to provide relevant statistics on labour disputes and the corresponding methodology used.