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

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

The Committee notes the observations of the Netherlands Trade Union Confederation (FNV), received on 31 August 2015.

Article 3 of the Convention. Revising concepts, definitions and methodology, in cooperation with the social partners. In its observations, the FNV highlights the importance of collecting and compiling up-to-date statistics in accordance with the Convention. The FNV adds that this is particularly important in branches of economic activity where many foreign workers have been posted from abroad. Referring to the implementation of Directive 2014/67/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on the enforcement of Directive 96/71/EC, concerning the posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services, and amending Regulation (EU) No. 1024/2012 on administrative cooperation through the Internal Market Information System, the FNV indicates that a so-called notification duty will be introduced and it is of the utmost importance that labour conditions be made transparent. The Committee requests that the Government provide its comments in this respect.

Articles 7 and 8. Employment, unemployment and underemployment statistics. Statistics of the structure and distribution of the economically active population. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to its previous comments and notes that it regularly supplies statistics to the ILO Department of Statistics for dissemination through its website (ILOSTAT). It also notes that the main source of information on the labour force, employment, unemployment and visible underemployment continues to be the Dutch Labour Force Survey. Statistics derived from the Labour Force Survey, along with the relevant methodological information, are made available on the website of the Netherlands’ Central Bureau of Statistics (Statistics Netherlands). Moreover, Statistics Netherlands conducted a register-based population census in 2011. The Committee requests that the Government continue to supply data and information on the methodology used in compiling statistics in accordance with these provisions, as well as on any plans for conducting the next round of the population census. It also invites the Government to provide 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).

Article 9. Current statistics of average earnings and hours of work. Statistics of time rates of wages and normal hours of work. In reply to the Committee’s previous comments, the Government provides information on statistics of average earnings and hours of work (Article 9(1)), as well as information required by Articles 5 and 6. According to information available on the Statistics Netherlands website, the Employment and Wages Survey (EWL), an establishment survey, was the source of statistics on wages and working hours up until 2006, when it was replaced by the Survey on Employment and Earnings Statistics (SWL). Since then, statistics on wages and working hours have been derived from wage declarations to the tax authority, which provides Statistics Netherlands with relevant information. A series of average monthly earnings from the SWL and of average hours actually worked from the Labour Force Survey have been transmitted regularly to the ILO since 2011. The latest data refer to 2013. With respect to statistics of time rates of wages and normal hours of work (Article 9(2)), the Committee notes that no new information has been provided in the Government’s report. The Committee requests that the Government provide information on any changes envisaged in the compilation of statistics of time rates of wages and normal hours of work to cover key occupations or groups of occupations in important branches of economic activity.

Article 10. Statistics of wage structure and distribution. The Committee notes that no new information has been provided in the Government’s report with respect to this provision of the Convention. The Committee requests that the Government provide updated information on the application of Article 10, by indicating whether the Survey on Employment and Earnings Statistics collects and compiles statistics on the structure of earnings and working time.

Article 11. Statistics of labour cost. The Government indicates that detailed data by economic activity on labour costs are gathered every four years in the context of research coordinated by Eurostat. The most recent data published by Statistics Netherlands refer to 2012. On a more aggregated level, Statistics Netherlands publishes data on a quarterly basis on the Internet. The Committee notes that no estimates or statistics of labour costs from the EU Labour Cost Survey have been provided to the ILO Department of Statistics for a number of years. The Committee notes, however, that statistics relating to labour costs drawn from the National Accounts and covering the 2011–14 period have been regularly supplied. The Committee therefore requests that the Government communicate the data collected through the EU Labour Cost Survey to the ILO as soon as possible.

Article 14. Statistics of occupational injuries and diseases. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning the documents available on the website of Statistics Netherlands with respect to the statistical and methodological information related to occupational injuries and diseases. It also notes that statistics on occupational injuries are regularly submitted to the ILO Department of Statistics through its annual questionnaire on labour statistics. In its observations, the FNV indicates that one area where the compilation of statistics is of utmost importance is in the field of occupational injuries and diseases. The FNV adds that labour statistics in this area are absolutely crucial and that it supports the continued compilation of such statistics. The Committee requests that the Government provide updated information on statistics on occupational injuries and diseases. The Committee also requests that the Government provide information regarding consultations held with the social partners concerning the compilation of statistics on occupational injuries and diseases (Article 3).