Convention concerning Statistics of Wages and Hours of Work, 1938 (No. 63) - Uruguay (Ratification: 1954)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Parts I–IV of the Convention. Statistics relating to wages and hours of work. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that no changes have taken place since its previous report affecting the application of these Parts of the Convention. The Committee takes note of the information provided by the Government in its report concerning statistics on wages and hours of work. It notes that these are compiled through three main surveys conducted by the National Institute of Statistics (INE): the Average Wages Index (IMS) (a monthly establishment survey), the Annual Survey of Economic Activity (an annual establishment survey), and the Continuous Household Survey (which allows for the production of monthly statistics). In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the Government planned to make a change to the basis for the IMS average wage index in 2018. While the Committee notes that this change has not yet taken place, it understands that the Government is looking into the possibility of incorporating administrative records for the calculation of the IMS. It further notes that statistics on working time and earnings of employees in mining and manufacturing are regularly submitted to the ILO Department of Statistics, while statistics and hours of work in agriculture are compiled primarily through the continuous household survey and the results are disseminated through the INE website. The Committee welcomes the information provided by the Government in its report and requests the Government to continue to provide the statistics required on the matters covered by Parts II–IV of the Convention. In addition, it requests the Government to continue to provide information on any developments regarding the application of the Convention.

The Committee notes that the compilation and dissemination of labour statistics in Uruguay through the continuous household survey in place is substantially in accordance with the requirements of the Labour Statistics Convention, 1985 (No. 160). In this context, the Committee recalls the recommendations of the Fourth Meeting of the Standards Review Mechanism Tripartite Working Group in September 2018, confirming the status of Convention No. 63 as an outdated instrument. It therefore encourages the Government to consider ratification of the Labour Statistics Convention, 1985 (No. 160), as the most up-to-date instrument on labour statistics, resulting in the automatic denunciation of Convention No. 63. The Committee notes that the possible ratification by Uruguay of Convention No. 63 would be particularly opportune in light of the Governing Body’s decision at its 334th Session (October–November 2018) to place an item on the agenda of the International Labour Conference in 2024 for consideration of the abrogation of Convention No. 63, on the recommendation of the Standards Review Mechanism Tripartite Working Group. The Committee once again reminds the Government of the availability of ILO technical assistance in this regard.

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

Parts I–IV of the Convention. Statistics relating to wages and hours of work. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report concerning the basis for the average wage index (IMS), the online publication of the index series of hours worked by wage earners in manufacturing and minimum wages. The Government adds that it is considering making a change in 2018 to the basis for the IMS. The Committee requests that the Government continue providing the statistics required on the subjects covered by Parts II–IV of the Convention.

The Committee notes the recommendations of the Standards Review Mechanism Tripartite Working Group and the corresponding decision of the Governing Body at its 328th Session in October–November 2016 (GB.328/LILS/2/1) calling upon the Office to commence follow-up with member States that are still bound by the Convention, encouraging them to ratify the Labour Statistics Convention, 1985 (No. 160), as the most up-to-date instrument in this area, and resulting in the automatic denunciation of Convention No. 63. The Committee reminds the Government of the availability of ILO technical assistance in this regards.

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

The Committee notes the detailed information provided by the Government in reply to its previous direct request.

According to the Government, the monthly Average Wage Index (Indice Medio de Salarios – IMS), which is the main wage indicator, appears to continue to be compiled in both nominal and real terms. It is derived from an establishment survey (Encuesta Nacional de Remuneraciones) which covers establishments with ten or more employees in the non-agricultural, private and public sectors (mining and quarrying in the private sector are excluded due to the small proportion of employment in this sector). Its methodology was redesigned for the fourth time in 2008. The Committee notes in particular with interest that the IMS index was rebased on July 2008 = 100 (previously December 2002 = 100).

The Committee also notes the indication by the Government that, since the change in the base index (December 1995 = 100), no disaggregation by occupation or by categories of workers has been estimated, and the relevant explanations were provided. According to the Government, at the next change of the base year for the IMS, planned to take place for 2012, it will be possible to collect information on the remuneration and hours of work by specific category of workers defined by type of activity.

The Committee notes with interest that “the methodology of the annual establishment survey Encuesta Anual de Actividad Económica (EAAE), was revised and updated for the year 2006”.

The Committee notes, however, the indication by the Government in reply to its previous request that for the time being it is not envisaged to extend the coverage of wage statistics to the agricultural sector, due to the current conditions of development of the country and of the Instituto Nacional de Estadistica (INE). Accordingly, these statistics remain limited to: (a) minimum wage rates in agriculture; (b) earnings and other income from work; as well as (c) hours of work of workers whose main occupation is in the primary sector (that is, agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing), which are derived from the urban household survey. The Committee asks the Government to keep the ILO informed of any further developments in the field of industrial relations and statistical surveys. Finally, the Committee invites once again the Government to envisage the ratification of the Labour Statistics Convention, 1985 (No. 160), and asks it to indicate any steps taken to this end.

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

The Committee notes the Government’s brief report for the period ending May 2005 and the information provided in reply to its previous comments. It also notes the observation made by the Inter-Union Assembly of Workers – National Convention of Workers (PIT/CNT), received with the Government’s report on 22 September 2005. The Committee notes with interest that: (i) the methodology for the monthly average wage index (IMS) was revised and updated as from 2002, with the new index being based on December 2002 = 100, replacing the former index based on 1995 = 100; and that (ii) the methodology used for the Annual Survey of Economic Activity was also revised and updated as from 2002.

The Committee also notes that the coverage of agricultural workers remains limited to (a) the minimum wage rates in agriculture, and (b) earnings and other income from work, as well as the working hours of workers whose principal activity is in the primary sector (that is, agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing), with the data being derived from the household survey. The Committee therefore once again requests the Government to indicate whether it is envisaged extending the coverage of wage statistics in the agricultural sector so as to compile statistics in accordance with the provisions of Part IV of the Convention.

With reference to the comments made by the PIT/CNT, the Committee notes with interest that Wage Councils were established in 2005 and that categories of economic activities have been identified with representatives of employers and workers with a view to the adoption of collective accords on wages and other conditions of work. As the PIT/CNT expressed the hope that recent developments in industrial relations would lead to an improvement in the application of the Convention, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate to the ILO its viewpoint on this matter and provide any relevant information, as well as full particulars on any progress in relation to statistical surveys.

With reference to its general observation of 2000, the Committee once again requests the Government to consider the ratification of the Labour Statistics Convention, 1985 (No. 160), if necessary with the technical assistance of the ILO to facilitate the process, and it requests the Government to keep the ILO informed of any steps taken in this respect.

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

The Committee notes a new law, No. 16.616 of October 1994, which establishes the basis for a National Statistical System, including the role of the National Institute of Statistics (INE), the obligation of data reporting, the guarantee of confidentiality of the data and the sanctions applicable in case of breach. It also notes that a Business Register set up on the basis of the third National Economic Census is being used as the sample frame for the monthly Average Wage Index (IMS).

The Committee notes that three types of minimum wage rates are established by the Government, and that other minimum rates are established by collective bargaining or on the basis of employer-employee agreements. It notes, however, that statistical data are not compiled on wages fixed by collective agreement. The Committee asks the Government whether measures are envisaged to compile such statistics.

The Committee notes that the available wage statistics in respect of wage earners engaged in agriculture refer to only: (i) minimum wage rates in agriculture; and (ii) earnings and other income from work as well as hours of work of workers whose main occupation is in the primary sector, which are derived from the urban household survey. The Committee asks the Government if it envisages extending the coverage of the wage statistics in the agricultural sector to compile statistics in accordance with the provisions of Part IV of the Convention.

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

The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous observation which read as follows:

The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether the new directory of establishments is being used as the sample frame for the index of average earnings (Article 12 of the Convention); and whether the "Encuesta nacional de remuneraciones" will be repeated on a regular basis.

The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to take the necessary action in the very near future.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1993, published 80th ILC session (1993)

1. With reference to its earlier comments, the Committee notes with satisfaction that progress has been made concerning the following points:

(a) the absolute figures of average earnings and hours of work for the representative occupations in the individual manufacturing and construction industries are compiled and published with respect not only to Montevideo but also to the interior of the country, as well as the indices of average earnings calculated on the basis of these figures;

(b) the new directory of establishments has been set up following the third national economic census, which has shown that mining accounts for less than 0.3 per cent of total employment;

(c) a new survey of wages, labour cost and hours of work (Encuesta nacional de remuneraciones) has been carried out on a sample basis, using the new directory of establishments as the sample frame.

2. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether the new directory of establishments is being used as the sample frame for the index of average earnings (Article 12 of the Convention); and whether the "Encuesta nacional de remuneraciones" will be repeated on a regular basis.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1988, published 75th ILC session (1988)

1. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government's report, particularly with regard to the point raised concerning Part IV of the Convention, and the documents enclosed with the report. With reference to its earlier comments, the Committee wishes again to raise the following points.

Part II of the Convention. The Committee notes the information supplied concerning mining and quarrying undertakings. With regard to the manufacturing industry, including the building industry, the Committee hopes that in 1988, it will be possible to lift the restriction referred to by the Government in its report, when the third national economic census takes place. The Committee therefore hopes that the Government will report on the progress made in the preparation of the updated directory and its use in sampling and estimating.

2. The Committee notes the copies of the Annual Survey of economic activity in the manufacturing industry and the Quarterly Industrial Survey, and requests the Government to continue providing the documents concerning this industry published by the Department of Statistics and Censuses.

3. With reference to its earlier comments, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government concerning the various points raised by the Committee. It hopes that the Government will be able to take steps to obtain information making it possible to compile and publish absolute figures of average earnings in enterprises of the regions in the interior of the country.

Part III. With reference to its earlier comments, the Committee notes the progress made in the areas covered by this Part of the Convention. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to report on the results of the practical measures being implemented, which can be ascertained by establishing rates of normal hours of work for the occupations included in the representative selection of the industries.

Lastly, the Committee refers to its general observation.