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

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

Previous comment

The Committee notes the observations formulated by the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) received on 31 August 2022, referring to matters addressed in this comment. It also notes the observations of the National Association of Employers of Colombia (ANDI), received with the Government’s report, stressing the significant progress made in complying with the Convention. ANDI indicates that the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) aims to ensure the production, availability and quality of strategic statistical information, and to direct, plan, execute, coordinate, regulate and evaluate the production and dissemination of basic official information. Through methodologies standardized by international organizations, it monitors the different national statistics and, additionally, provides in-depth analysis of employment statistics and indicators. ANDI concludes that it is therefore a very important source of information for decision-making on public policy, particularly for the discussions and analyses carried out in a tripartite manner within the framework of the Commission for the Coordination of Labour and Wage Policies.

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 welcomes the detailed information provided by the Government regarding the Major Integrated Household Survey (GEIH) (Labour Force Survey). The Committee also welcomes the changes made to comply with the International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS) Resolution concerning statistics of work, employment and labour underutilization adopted in 2013. The Committee notes however that IOE indicates that, according to the GEIH, the number of employed persons at the national level in June 2022 was 22 million persons, of which more than 12.7 million were classified as informal by DANE, representing an informality rate of 58 per cent. The Committee encourages the Government to provide information on the effect given to the Resolution concerning statistics on work relationships adopted by the 20th ICLS in 2018 and the Resolution concerning statistics on the informal economy adopted by the 21st ICLS in 2023.

Article 9(2). Compilation of statistics on time rates of wages and normal hours of work. Communication of statistics. With reference to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government indicates that the disaggregated data are not published as regards income generation per hour worked, by branch of economic activity and occupation. The Government indicates that it is, nonetheless, possible to derive these statistics using microdata of the GEIH. In this context, the Committee encourages the Government to consider the acceptance of Article 9 of the Convention and to provide information of any developments in this regard.

Article 10. Statistics of wage structure and distribution. The Committee notes with interest the information submitted by the Government regarding the methodology used for the compilation of statistics of wage structure and distribution. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide data under this Article of the Convention.

Article 11. Statistics of labour cost.The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide updated statistics on labour cost and to keep it updated on any changes.

Article 14. Occupational injuries and diseases. The Committee notes with interest the detailed statistical and methodological information on occupational accidents and diseases is provided as an annex to the Report. The Committee, however, notes that the most recent data on occupational injuries received by the Office through the annual questionnaire of the Department of Statistics are of 2017. Therefore, the Committee encourages the Government to submit the data from 2017 for all years missing and to provide this information regularly through the annual questionnaire of the Department of Statistics especially in view of the inclusion of “safe and healthy working environment” as a fundamental principle and right at work by the ILC under paragraph 2 of the ILO 1998 Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work at its 110th Session in June 2022.

Article 15. Statistics of industrial disputes. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government and in particular that the “Dirección de Inspección Vigilancia Control” reports quarterly the information contained in the bulletins, which corresponds to data collected and consolidated by the “Dirección de Inspección, Vigilancia, Control y Gestión Territorial” supplied quarterly by the “Direcciones Territoriales y Oficinas Especiales”, available on the website of the Ministry of Labour. The Committee, however, notes that the report does not provide statistical or methodological information on industrial disputes. Moreover, the chapter on strikes and lockouts of the ILO Department of Statistics’ annual questionnaire is not regularly completed and returned to the ILO. The Committee once again requests the Government to provide relevant statistics on labour disputes and the corresponding methodology used.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

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.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

The Committee takes note of the Government’s report received on 14 September 2009, containing some information in reply to its previous comments.

Article 7 of the Convention. The Committee notes that this provision continues to be applied. The statistics on an economically active population, employment and unemployment continue to be provided to the ILO for publication in the Yearbook of Labour Statistics and dissemination in the ILO Department of Statistics website. The Committee also takes note of the link from the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) website containing methodological information on the “Gran Encuesta Integrada de Hogares”. The Committee encourages the Government to continue to supply data as soon as practicable.

Article 10. The Committee notes that the Government does not provide any information on the structure and distribution of wages, which appears to indicate that no change has occurred since the last report. Moreover, it is still not clear whether statistics on the distribution of employees by levels of earnings are compiled from  the “Encuesta Continua de Hogares”, as the titles of the tables provided in the previous Government’s report showed that the distribution relates to employed population, i.e. the total number of employees and self‑employed, and to income. The Committee asks the Government once again to indicate the measures adopted or envisaged for the collection, compilation and publication of statistics on the structure and distribution of wages by main components (basic wages, premium pay for overtime, remuneration for time not worked and bonuses and gratuities) and of hours of work (normal and overtime hours) in accordance with the guidance provided in Paragraph 5(2)(b) of Labour Statistics Recommendation, 1985 (No. 170).

Article 11. The Committee notes that the report does not contain information with regard to this Article. However, information available at the ILO concerning statistics of average labour cost confirms that only statistics of compensation of employees continue to be compiled through the annual manufacturing survey. Accordingly, the Committee asks once again the Government to indicate any measures envisaged to extend the concept of compensation of employees to the full measurement of labour cost, to compile and publish statistics on the level and structure of labour cost, and to extend the coverage of these statistics to other important branches of economic activity, in accordance with the guidelines contained in the ILO Recommendation No. 170, paragraph 6.

Article 9. While recalling that this Article is not accepted by virtue of Article 16, the Committee encourages the Government to continue to supply to the ILO the statistics of quarterly averages (though not annual averages), as well as average on monthly earnings by economic activity and by sex as soon as practicable.

The Committee draws to the attention of the Government to the new international standards concerning the measurement of working time (see Resolution I, adopted by the 18th International Conference of Labour Statisticians whose larger number of concepts and measures would seem to be better aligned to national practice, accessible via: www.ilo.org/global/What_we_do/Statistics/
standards/resolutions/lang--en/docName--WCMS_112455/index.htm).

Article 13. The Committee notes that a household income and expenditure survey (Encuesta nacional de ingresos y gastos) is being conducted with ten-year periodicity, the latest one was conducted in 2006–07. It also notes that a detailed description of the concepts, definitions, methodology and classifications used for the 1994–95 survey were supplied in response to the ILO methodological questionnaire in 2005. According to available information on the DANE’s website, a household survey on the quality of life (Encuesta Nacional de Calidad de Vida) is also being conducted. The Committee notes that the 2008 survey – whose objective is to analyse the socio-economic characteristics of the households by including variables related to housing, utilities, education, health care, children, labour force, income and expenditure, possession of goods, and to estimate the poverty in the country – covered a sample of 13,600 households located in both rural and urban areas. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate if there are any plans to increase the periodicity of “the Household Income and Expenditure Survey”, and undertake this survey at intervals not exceeding five years.

Article 14. The Committee notes that no information is provided in the Government’s report with respect to this article, nor is any new information concerning statistics on occupational injuries and diseases available at the ILO. The most recent information provided to the ILO was contained in the CD-ROM provided in annex to the previous report. This CD-ROM includes tables showing the total number of occupational accidents from 1971 to 2003, the total number of cases of occupational diseases from 1980 to 2001, and the total number of occupational deaths due to both occupational accidents and occupational diseases from 1986 to 1988. In the absence of any information about availability of current statistics of occupational injuries and diseases, the Committee is bound to ask once again the Government to communicate regularly to the ILO the relevant statistics, including for the period 1996–98, and to indicate any publication containing a description of the statistical methodology (Article 6).

Article 15. The Committee notes with interest the table of total number of strikes occurring during the calendar years 2004 to 2008, attached to the report. However, the Committee notes that no source is given for these statistics; no disaggregation according to economic activity (industry) is provided and yet no further information has apparently been collected or disseminated, on number of workers involved, days not worked or on the duration of work stoppages. The Committee also notes that no methodological information or relevant website address is provided. The Committee asks the Government to communicate regularly all the relevant statistics from 1996 to the present day to the ILO, and, in particular, to keep the ILO informed of any steps it expects to develop the statistics under Article 15, and to extend the national collection and definitions to all characteristics recommended by the international statistical standards.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2004, published 93rd ILC session (2005)

The Committee notes the Government’s report covering the period 1 March 2000 to 30 June 2004, which replies in partial to its previous comments (2003). It also notes the documents attached thereto.

Article 7. As the latest employment and unemployment data by occupation refer to 2000 and are classified according to ISCO-1968, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate whether, and if so, when it plans to follow ISCO-1988, the latest edition of the ILO classification of occupations.

Article 8. Referring to its previous comments, the Committee notes the communication of the CD-ROM on the methodology used for the 1993 Census entitled "Survey method for the XVIth National Census of the Population and the Vth Housing Survey".

Article 10 . Since the titles of the tables show that the distribution relates to "employed population" (población ocupada), i.e. the total of employees and self-employed workers, and to "income" (ingresos), it is not clear whether statistics on the distribution of employees by earnings levels are compiled from the continuous household survey. The Committee therefore recalls its previous comments, which read as follows:

Noting the statistics on the distribution of employees by earnings level as a function of other characteristics, as published in the Encuesta Nacional de las Hogares, the Committee once again asks the Government to indicate the measures adopted or envisaged for the collection, compilation and publication of statistics on the structure and distribution of earnings (basic pay, premium pay for overtime, remuneration for time not worked and bonuses and gratuities) and of hours of work (hours actually worked or hours paid for), in accordance with the guidance provided in Paragraph 5(2)(b) of Recommendation No. 170.

Article 11. The Committee notes that statistics of average labour costs are still confined to statistics on the level of "compensation of employees" in manufacturing. It therefore draws the Government’s attention to the relevant guidance contained in Recommendation No. 170, Paragraph 6, and hopes that information will be provided to the ILO with respect to its previous comments, which read as follows:

The Committee once again asks the Government to indicate the measures envisaged to extend the concept of compensation of employees to the full measurement of labour costs, to compile and publish statistics on the level and structure of labour costs and to extend the coverage of these statistics to other important branches of economic activity.

Article 13. The Committee notes with interest the additional information provided in reply to its request on the history of household income and expenditure surveys (Encuesta Nacional de Ingresos y Gastos), and the detailed description of the concepts, definitions, methodology and classifications used for the 1994-95 survey. The Committee also notes that the results of the 1994-95 survey are contained in 38 tables, of which five are available on the DANE web site.

The Committee would also like to remind the Government of its obligation to provide information regularly to the ILO on any new survey and its results.

Article 14. The Committee notes that no information is provided in the Government’s report on the application of this Article of the Convention. Noting the statistics on occupational injuries and diseases transmitted on the CD-ROM attached to the report, it asks the Government to provide information in reply to its previous comment, which read as follows.

The Committee notes the information concerning the compilation of statistics by the General Directorate of Occupational Health and Employment Risks of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and concerning the statistics contained in the "1999 Statistical Bulletin" published by the Social Insurance Institute, Subdirectorate of Health Services. Also noting the development by the Ministry of a statistical system for the collection, compilation and analysis of data on employment, labour and social security, the Committee asks the Government to indicate whether, as envisaged, it has been possible to correct the deficiencies in the current statistics through the implementation of the above system.

The Committee also asks the Government to communicate regularly to the ILO the statistics concerned (Article 5), including for the period 1996-98, and to indicate any publication containing a description of the statistical methodology (Article 6).

Article 15. The Committee notes that the Government has not provided any information in reply to its previous comment. Noting the statistics on strikes attached to the Government’s report, it  hopes that the Government will not fail to provide the ILO with information requested in its previous comment, which read as follows:

Noting that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security does not have information on hours not worked or on the duration of work stoppages, but observing that it collects data on the number of events recorded as strikes or lockouts, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would, firstly, keep the ILO informed of any project relating to the collection of information on hours not worked and on hours of work and, secondly, communicate regularly statistics on strikes.

The Government is also asked to communicate regularly to the ILO the statistics concerned (Article 5), including for the period 1996-2002.

Article 16. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate whether indices from the Encuesta Mensual Manufacturera are still compiled monthly, and, if so, provide information on how they can be obtained.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

The Committee notes the Government’s report for the period ending 31 May 2001. It draws its attention to the following points.

Article 8 of the Convention. Noting that the web site indicated by the Government as containing information on the results of the 1993 census does not appear to provide data on the active population classified by occupational group and status in employment, as advocated by Paragraph 2(2) of the Labour Statistics Recommendation, 1985 (No. 170), the Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide, as indicated in the report, the CD containing the description of the methodology used for the 1993 population census.

Article 10. Noting the statistics on the distribution of employees by earnings level as a function of other characteristics, as published in the Encuesta Nacional de las Hogares, the Committee once again asks the Government to indicate the measures adopted or envisaged for the collection, compilation and publication of statistics on the structure and distribution of earnings (basic pay, premium pay for overtime, remuneration for time not worked and bonuses and gratuities) and of hours of work (hours actually worked or hours paid for), in accordance with the guidance provided in Paragraph 5(2)(b) of Recommendation No. 170.

Article 11. The Committee once again asks the Government to indicate the measures envisaged to extend the concept of compensation of employees to the full measurement of labour costs, to compile and publish statistics on the level and structure of labour costs and to extend the coverage of these statistics to other important branches of economic activity.

Article 13. The Committee notes that the Government has not, as it indicated it would, attached to its report the disk containing the principal results of the 1995 survey of income and household expenditure. It would be grateful if it would supply the above disk.

Article 14. The Committee notes the information concerning the compilation of statistics by the General Directorate of Occupational Health and Employment Risks of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, and concerning the statistics contained in the "1999 Statistical Bulletin" published by the Social Insurance Institute, Subdirectorate of Health Services. Also noting the development by the Ministry of a statistical system for the collection, compilation and analysis of data on employment, labour and social security, the Committee asks the Government to indicate whether, as envisaged, it has been possible to correct the deficiencies in the current statistics through the implementation of the above system.

The Committee also asks the Government to communicate the statistics concerned (Article 5) regularly to the ILO, including for the period 1996 to 1998, and to indicate any publication containing a description of the statistical methodology (Article 6).

Article 15. Noting that the Ministry of Labour and Social Security does not have information on hours not worked or on the duration of work stoppages, but observing that it collects data on the number of events recorded as strikes or lockouts, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would, firstly, keep the ILO informed of any project relating to the collection of information on hours not worked and on hours of work and, secondly, communicate regularly statistics on strikes.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2000, published 89th ILC session (2001)

The Committee notes the Government’s reports. It notes that these reports provide some replies to the previous requests. The Committee asks the Government to supply further information on the following points:

Article 3 of the Convention.  In its previous comments, the Committee recalled that, under this Article, the Government is required to consult the representative organizations of employers and workers when designing or revising the concepts, definitions and methodologies used regarding the statistics covered by the Convention. In the absence of the Government’s reply on this point, it again asks the Government to indicate, for Articles 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, the manner in which such organizations were consulted.

Article 8.  The Committee notes that, although the Government indicates that the population census took place on 28 October 1993, no further information (results and methodology) has been made available. It reminds the Government of the obligation to communicate to the ILO both data and methodological information on censuses (in accordance with Articles 5 and 6).

Article 10.  The Committee notes the Government’s indication that statistics on the distribution of employees by levels of earnings are compiled from the Encuesta Nacional de Hogares, according to various employee characteristics. The Committee recalls that this Article also requires the compilation and publication of statistics of wage structure, i.e. statistics on the composition of earnings by main components, such as basic pay, premium pay for overtime, remuneration for time not worked, bonuses and gratuities, and on the structure of hours of work (hours actually worked or paid for), e.g. according to normal and overtime hours. It again asks the Government to indicate any measures envisaged in order to extend the collection, compilation and publication of statistics of wage structure.

Article 11.  The Committee notes that the statistics of "labour cost" are limited to statistics on the level of "compensation of employees" in manufacturing. It asks the Government to indicate any measures envisaged to extend the concept of compensation of employees to the full measurement of labour cost, to compile and publish statistics on the level and structure of labour cost, and to extend the coverage of these statistics to other important branches of economic activity.

Article 12.  The Committee asks the Government to send to the ILO methodological information on the new CPI series with base year December 1998=100 (in accordance with Article 6).

Article 13.  The Committee notes the Government’s indication, in response to the previous request, that rural areas were not covered by Encuesta de Presupuesto y gasto familiar- household sample survey, due to budgetary constraints. It asks the Government to supply information on: (i) which international standards and guidelines were taken into account when the concepts, definitions and methodology used for these statistics were designed (Article 2); and (ii) the title and reference number of the principal publication which contains the detailed methodological description of the survey (Article 6). It also asks the Government to communicate the 1994-95 survey results (Article 5).

Article 14.  The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística (DANE) does not conduct any surveys of occupational injuries. It also notes that although the most recent data supplied to the ILO in 1996, referring to 1995, which had been compiled by the Instituto de Seguros Sociales, Subdirección de Servicios de Salud, División Nacional de Salud Ocupacional, were apparently published in Informe Estadístico (Instituto de Seguros Sociales, annual), this publication is not received in the ILO. The Committee asks the Government to provide it with this publication and to communicate up-to-date statistics concerned (Article 5), and all relevant methodological information with respect to definitions and terminology, the source, coverage and scope of the statistics, the responsible organization(s), accident notification/data collection procedures, as well as the title of the publication(s) in which the methodological description of the statistics is published (Article 6).

Article 15.  The Committee again asks the Government to clarify, as to the data collected in the framework of statistics of industrial disputes, whether time not worked (horas no laboradas) refers to consecutive hours not worked, i.e. duration of work stoppages, or to total hours not worked by all workers involved. It also asks the Government to communicate up-to-date statistics to the ILO, in accordance with Article 5.

Article 16, paragraph 4.  As regards Article 9, in respect of which obligations were not accepted by the Government at the time of ratification, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning statistics of average earnings of employees. It asks the Government to continue to provide information on this subject.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 83rd ILC session (1996)

The Committee has noted the Government's second report. It notes that some of the questions it raised in its previous request remain unanswered, and asks the Government to provide information on the following points.

Article 2 of the Convention. The Committee again requests the Government to indicate, for Articles 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, whether the latest international standards and guidelines have been followed and the reasons for any departures from them. For example, as regards Article 7, please indicate whether the national occupational classification (Clasificación Nacional de Ocupaciones (CNO-1970)) can be linked to the International Standard Classification of Occupations, 1988 (ISCO-88) or whether it is intended to use ISCO-88 directly.

Article 3. The Committee recalls that, under this Article, the Government is required to consult the representative organizations of employers and workers when designing or revising the concepts, definitions and methodologies used regarding the statistics covered by the Convention. It again requests the Government to indicate, for Articles 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, the manner in which such organizations were consulted.

Articles 5 and 6. The Committee points out that the Government is required to communicate to the ILO, as soon as practicable, the published statistics (Article 5) and relevant methodological information (Article 6), in respect of statistics covered by each of the Articles of Part II (except for Article 9). This concerns, for example, the population census (Article 8), the new Consumer Price Index series (Article 12) and the statistics of occupational injuries (Article 14) and of strikes and lockouts (Article 15). The Committee hopes that the Government will communicate such data to the ILO as required.

Article 8. The Committee asks the Government to indicate whether the 1993 census has been conducted.

Article 10. Further to its previous request, the Committee points out that this Article requires the compilation and publication of statistics of wage structure (i.e. statistics on the composition of earnings by main components, such as basic pay, premium pay for overtime, remuneration for time not worked, bonuses and gratuities, and hours of work according to normal and overtime hours); and of statistics on the distribution of employees according to levels of earnings and hours of work. The Committee notes that the data available in Colombia are limited to data on the composition of aggregate "compensation of employees" broken down only into (i) total wages and salaries and (ii) total additional social benefits. It asks the Government to indicate any measures envisaged in order to extend the collection, compilation and publication of statistics of wage structure and distribution.

Article 11. The Committee again requests the Government to indicate any measures envisaged to improve the methodology of the existing statistics of compensation of employees in order to compile and publish data on the average level and composition of compensation of employees. It also asks the Government to communicate to the ILO by virtue of Article 5 (as requested above) published data on "average" compensation of employees per employee or per unit of time, instead of aggregate data.

Article 13. Recalling that the household income and expenditure survey covers urban areas only, the Committee asks the Government to indicate whether it intends to extend the scope of the survey to the rural areas so that the data are representative of the country as a whole.

Article 14. The Committee asks the Government to include, when communicating information under Articles 5 and 6 as requested above, information regarding the publication of the statistics concerned (Article 5) and all relevant methodological information with respect to definitions and terminology, the source, coverage and scope of the statistics, the responsible organization(s), accident notification/data collection procedures, as well as the title of the publication(s) in which the methodological description of the statistics is published (Article 6).

Article 15. The Committee again asks the Government to clarify, as to the data collected in the framework of statistics of industrial disputes, as time not worked ("horas no laboradas"), whether this refers to consecutive hours not worked, i.e. duration of work stoppages, or to total hours not worked by all workers involved.

Article 16, paragraph 4. As regards Article 9, in respect of which obligations were not accepted at the time of ratification, the Committee notes that only index numbers of average earnings are compiled and published. It would again request the Government to state the position of its law and practice on current statistics (either monthly or annual) of average earnings and hours of work and to indicate whether it is proposed to compile and publish such statistics in the future on the basis of the existing surveys in manufacturing, "Muestra Mensual Manufacturera".

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

The Committee has noted the Government's first report. It notes that the report contains a general description of the National Statistics Department (DANE) but little information on the actual application of the provisions of the Convention. Its examination therefore is based largely on the information otherwise available in the International Labour Office. The Committee requests the Government to provide in its next report more detailed and concrete information with particular reference to the following points:

1. The Committee notes the Government's reference to the Decrees creating the DANE and modifying its administrative structure. It asks the Government to provide information on other laws and regulations, if any, giving effect to each of the provisions of the Convention.

2. Article 2 of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to indicate, for each of the Articles of Part II of the Convention (except for Article 9), whether the latest international standards and guidelines have been followed and the reasons for any departures from them. As regards Article 7 in particular, it asks the Government to provide further information on: (i) the use of the "Clasificación Nacional de Ocupaciones" (CNO-1970), indicating whether it can be linked to both ISCO-68 and ISCO-88; and (ii) the application of the concepts and definitions of economically active population, employment, unemployment and underemployment elaborated by the 13th International Conference of Labour Statistics (1982).

3. Article 3. The Committee requests the Government to indicate, for each of the Articles of Part II (except for Article 9), the manner in which the representative organizations of employers and workers are consulted when the concepts, definitions and methodology used are designed or revised.

4. Article 7. The Committee requests the Government to communicate to the International Labour Office, (i) the published statistics (in particular, employment and unemployment data derived from the National Household Survey (Encuesta Nacional de Hogares)), as soon as practicable (in accordance with Article 5), and (ii) a detailed methodological description of the establishment survey of the labour force (in accordance with Article 6).

5. Article 8. The Committee understands that the 1985 population census did not collect data by industry and by occupation from persons living in private households (such information was only collected from persons living in indigenous villages). It asks the Government to specify whether the 1993 census mentioned in the report collected information on the distribution of the economically active population (by industry, by occupation, by status in employment and by sex) in such a way as to be representative of the country as a whole.

6. Article 10. The Committee notes from the information available in the ILO that the statistics of wage structure and distribution are limited to the distribution of aggregate earnings by occupational group, industry and size of establishments in manufacturing. It points out that this Article of the Convention requires the compilation of statistics of wage structure (i.e. statistics on the composition and components of earnings) and of wage distribution (i.e. on the distribution of employees according to levels of earnings) in important branches of economic activity and that such statistics should be regularly published (in accordance with Article 1). The Committee requests the Government to indicate any measures taken or envisaged in order to extend the collection, compilation and publication of statistics of wage structure and distribution.

7. Article 11. The Committee understands that, while no statistics of labour costs are compiled at present, statistics of compensation of employees, which is a close approximation to labour cost, are compiled covering manufacturing, although no corresponding data on hours of work is available. It requests the Government to indicate any measures taken or envisaged (i) to improve the methodology of the existing statistics of compensation of employees and (ii) to extend the collection, compilation and publication of such statistics to other important branches of economic activity. The Committee would also be grateful if the Government would communicate to the ILO, as soon as practicable, the published statistics on average (instead of total) compensation of employees (in accordance with Article 5).

8. Article 14. Although the report contains no information on statistics covered by this Article, the Committee understands, from information available in the Office, that data on occupational injuries are collected and compiled. It therefore requests the Government to supply detailed information concerning statistics of occupational injuries and occupational diseases in accordance with Articles 5 and 6 of the Convention. As to the methodological description required by Article 6, please also include accident notification procedures, coverage and scope and data collection processes. The Committee also asks the Government to comment on the apparent lack of data: (i) by branch of economic activity; and (ii) relating to work time lost as a result of work accidents, outlining any proposed improvements.

9. Article 15. Although the report contains no information on statistics covered by this Article, the Committee understands, from information available in the Office, that a statistical series of strikes and lockouts exists. It therefore requests the Government to supply detailed information concerning statistics of strikes and lockouts in accordance with Articles 5 and 6. The Committee also asks the Government to clarify, as to the data collected as "horas habiles no laboradas" which were provided to the Office as time not worked, whether this refers to consecutive hours not worked, i.e. duration, or to total hours not worked by all workers involved.

10. Article 16, paragraph 4. As regards Article 9, in respect of which obligations were not accepted at the time of ratification, the Committee requests the Government to describe law and practice on current statistics (either monthly or annual) of average earnings and hours of work, and to indicate whether it is proposed to compile and publish such statistics in the future on the basis of the existing monthly and annual surveys in manufacturing.