Labour Statistics Convention, 1985 (No. 160) - Benin (Ratification: 2000)

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

The Committee notes the detailed information provided by the Government in reply to its previous request concerning statistics of household income and expenditure (Article 13 of the Convention). The Committee also notes that the Government is requesting the technical and financial assistance of the ILO for the formal establishment of a reliable and continuous labour statistics database.

Articles 7 and 8. Statistics of the active population, employment and unemployment. Statistics of the structure and distribution of the population. In its report, the Government refers to an integrated modular survey of the living conditions of households (EMICoV) conducted in 2007, a follow-up survey on the indicators of the EMICoV organized in 2010, and a second edition of the EMICoV conducted in 2011–12 using the same methodology and with the same principal modules as in 2007. The Committee notes that statistics of the active population, employment and unemployment have been supplied to the ILO Department of Statistics, but notes that statistics of employment by occupation and unemployment by occupation and economic activity have not yet been received. The Committee requests the Government to provide the ILO with statistics of employment and unemployment. Please also include information on any developments towards 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 12. Consumer price indices. The Government provides information on the harmonized consumer price index (IHPC) covering the city of Cotonou and indicates that, in addition to the IHPC, in 2014 the country introduced a harmonized national consumer price index (INHPC) covering all the departments in the country. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether the IHPC is based on weights and the prices observed representing the whole of the country, or only the capital.

Article 14. Statistics of occupational diseases and injuries. The Government indicates that statistics of occupational diseases are compiled each year and that they cover the whole of the country. The Government however refers to under-reporting of occupational diseases (due to the fact that many enterprises do not have an occupational physician and that the diseases concerned are not known to the workers). The Committee observes that the Government has not provided information on the methodology used for the collection and compilation of statistics of occupational diseases. The Committee requests the Government to provide the available statistics of occupational diseases to the ILO, and detailed descriptions of the sources, concepts, definitions and methodologies used for the compilation of statistics of occupational diseases. Please also provide the ILO with statistics of occupational injuries as soon as they become available.

Article 15. Statistics of industrial disputes. The Government indicates that statistics of industrial disputes cover the whole of the territory and all branches of economic activity covered by the Labour Code. The Committee requests the Government to provide a description of the methodology and definitions used for the compilation of statistics of industrial disputes, as well as updated statistics of strikes and lock-outs, including a description of the scope, the definition of the principal concepts and the methodology used for their compilation.

Articles 9–11. Statistics of hours of work and wages. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the matters covered by Articles 9–11 of the Convention, of which it has not accepted the obligations. The Government indicates that statistics of hours of work can be calculated from the EMICoV databases. The Government adds that statistics of wages are not reliable. The Committee requests the Government to keep the ILO informed of any developments relating to the compilation and dissemination of the statistics referred to above. The Committee draws the Government’s attention to the Resolution concerning the measurement of working time, adopted by the 18th International Conference of Labour Statisticians in December 2008, which contains detailed definitions of concepts and measures.

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

The Committee notes the Government’s report for the period ending September 2009, which contains information in reply to its previous comments. It also notes the statistical documents attached to the report (Decree No. 97/168 of 7 April 1997 approving the statutes of the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Analysis (INSAE); the INSAE’s statutes; the summary report on the 2007 integrated modular survey of household living conditions (EMICoV); and the statistical reports from 2007 and 2008 concerning occupational accidents, accompanied by an analysis of the period 2003–2008). The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the following points.

Article 7 of the Convention. Statistics of the economically active population, employment and unemployment. The Committee notes that a survey entitled “Integrated modular survey of household living conditions” (EMICoV) was conducted in 2007 and that a summary report on that survey was sent by the Government. Although the report provides some data on the economically active population, employment and unemployment, no information has been provided concerning the sources, concepts, definitions and methodology used, as required under Article 6. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would keep the ILO informed of any developments relating to the survey of the economically active population.

Article 8. Statistics of the structure and distribution of the economically active population, employment and unemployment. The Committee notes that a population census carried out in 2002 provides statistics on the workforce, employment and unemployment. The Committee requests the Government to provide methodological information concerning the statistics of the workforce, employment and unemployment derived from the 2002 census. It also requests it to provide the information required by the ILO questionnaires concerning the methodology.

Articles 9–11. Statistics of hours of work and wages. The Committee notes that the Government does not indicate whether the surveys (see EMICoV and the 2007 survey of population growth and health (EDS)) will cover average earnings, average hours of work, time rates of wages and normal hours of work (Article 9) or whether statistics of wage structure and distribution and labour cost will be compiled (Articles 10 and 11). Noting that the Government is not bound by the obligations under Articles 9–11, the Committee would be grateful if it would keep the Office informed of any developments relating to Articles 9–11. In this regard, it draws the Government’s attention to the new international standards established by Resolution I concerning the measurement of working time, adopted by the 18th International Conference of Labour Statisticians, which defines extensive concepts and measures in detail (see http://www.ilo.org/global/What_we_do/Statistics/standards/resolutions/lang--en/

docName--WCMS_112455/index.htm).

Article 12. Consumer price indices. The Committee notes that no specific information has been provided by the Government in reply to its previous comments concerning consumer price indices and that there seems to have been no change in the compilation of relevant statistics. The Committee therefore once again requests the Government to provide full and detailed information on the population groups covered by the statistics compiled.

Article 13. Statistics of household income and expenditure. The Committee notes that while the Government indicates that the standards used in the integrated modular survey of household living conditions are the same as those used for the 2007 survey of population growth and health, it does not indicate to which standards it is referring (Article 2). However, it does indicate that the employers’ and workers’ organizations were consulted as members of the National Statistics Commission (Article 3). According to the Government, another household survey was conducted in 2003, entitled “Survey of household income and expenditure”. The Committee requests the Government to provide the information required under Articles 2 and 6 concerning the 2003 survey of household income and expenditure and to indicate, in accordance with Article 5(b), the most recent dates or periods for which the different types of statistics are available and the dates of their publication or release.

Article 14. Statistics of occupational injuries. The Committee notes that the statistics of occupational injuries compiled cover all workers who are subject to the provisions of the Labour Code and members of the National Social Security Fund. The most recent data sent to the ILO relates to 2004. No other information is available on this matter. The Committee draws the Government’s attention to the obligations derived from Articles 2, 5 and 6, and requests it to provide relevant information concerning the statistics of occupational injuries, as well as occupational diseases, if such statistics are also compiled. If statistics of occupational diseases are not compiled, the Government is requested to indicate why.

Article 15. Statistics of industrial disputes. Noting that the statistics of industrial disputes cover the entire national territory and all branches of economic activity covered by the Labour Code, the Committee notes that the Government has not provided the methodological information required under Article 2, 5 and 6 concerning these statistics. The Committee requests the Government to provide the information required by Articles 2, 5 and 6 concerning the statistics of industrial disputes.

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

The Committee notes that the information supplied by the Government in its report is not adequate to allow it to appreciate the level of application of the Convention. The Committee therefore again requests the Government to supply full and detailed information on the measures taken to give effect to the Convention in reply to the questions set out in the report form under each of Articles 2, 3, 5 ,6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14 and 15, as well as, according to Article 16.4, information on the position of its law and practice on the subjects covered by Articles 9, 10 and 11, not accepted.

The Committee draws the Government’s attention to the possibility, if there is difficulty, of enlisting ILO technical assistance for this purpose.

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

The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the Government’s first report. It would be grateful if the Government would provide information on the measures taken to give effect to Articles 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14 and 15 of the Convention as to allow an assessment of the level of their application.

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

The Committee notes the Government’s first report. It would be grateful if the Government would provide information on the measures taken to give effect to Articles 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14 and 15 of the Convention as to allow an assessment of the level of their application.