Labour Statistics Convention, 1985 (No. 160) - Switzerland (Ratification: 1987)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

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 that the statistics on the economically active population, employment, unemployment and visible underemployment continue to be communicated regularly to the ILO Department of Statistics for dissemination on the ILOSTAT website. The Committee also notes that these statistics continue to be generated by the Swiss active population survey (ESPA), which is a sample survey of persons corresponding to Labour Force Surveys. The Committee notes in this regard that the ESPA has moved from being purely telephonic to being a multi-modal survey (by internet and telephone) and that the questionnaire has been slightly modified to conform with the new Integrated European Social Statistics (IESS) regulation. The Committee notes nevertheless that the Government does not provide updated information regarding the methodology used for the last population census. The Committee requests the Government to continue regularly to provide updated statistical data to the ILO Department of Statistics on employment, unemployment, underemployment and the distribution of the active population. It also requests the Government to communicate related information on the methodology and data of the population census in the country. Furthermore, in the absence of information in this regard, the Committee reiterates its request for the Government to communicate information on all progress achieved in the implementation of the Resolution concerning statistics of work, employment and labour underutilization (Resolution I), adopted by the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS) (2013). It further requests the Government to provide information on the implementation of the resolution concerning statistics on work relationships, adopted by the ICLS at its 20th Session (2018) (Resolution I), as well as on the implementation of the Resolution concerning statistics on the informal economy, adopted by the ICLS at its 21st session (2023) (Resolution I).

Article 14. Statistics of occupational injuries and occupational diseases. The Committee notes that the Government continues to regularly communicate statistics on occupational injuries to the ILO Department of Statistics. In response to the Committee’s previous comment, the Government indicates that the data on occupational injuries are compiled with statistics on occupational diseases in the annual reports of the Swiss accident insurance (LLA) statistics coordination group, and in the annual reports of the Federal Coordination Committee for occupational safety. Emphasizing that the decision of the International Labour Conference at its 110th Session in June 2022 to include “a safe and healthy working environment” as a fundamental principle and right at work,the Committee requests the Government: (i) to communicate information on any development concerning the publication of statistics on occupational accidents and diseases; (ii) to continue regularly providing relevant statistics; and (iii) to communicate up-to-date information on the sources, concepts, definitions and methodology used during collection and compilation of statistics.

Article 16. Prospects for the acceptance of obligations. Statistics of labour cost. Although the Government has not accepted to be bound by Article 11 of the Convention concerning labour cost, the Committee notes the updated information provided regarding the application of this provision. The Committee notes in this regard that the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) has been compiling statistics on the cost of labour since 2012. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing information on the statistics compiled by the FSO on the cost of labour and to consider the possibility of accepting the obligations of Article 11 of the Convention, in accordance with the provisions of Article 16(3).

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

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 Government indicates in its report that the Swiss Labour Force Survey (SLFS) has been ongoing since 2010. The Committee notes in this regard that the SLFS is available on the website of the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). In addition, the Committee notes that in 2010 the population census carried out and compiled by the FSO started to be carried out annually in a new format. The FSO now uses population registers to collect information, which it then supplements through sampling surveys, and particularly structural surveys. These provide information on the structure and distribution of the active population on an annual basis. The Government adds that a small proportion of the population is interviewed by means of written questionnaires or telephone surveys. The Committee notes that the statistical data are communicated to the ILO Department of Statistics for dissemination via the ILOSTAT website. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing updated statistical data. It further requests the Government to provide information on any progress made in 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 14. Statistics of occupational injuries and occupational diseases. The Committee notes that the Government regularly communicates statistics of occupational injuries to the ILO Department of Statistics. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing statistics of occupational injuries and to include information on the efforts made to compile statistics of occupational diseases.

Article 16. Prospects for the acceptance of obligations. Statistics of labour cost. Although the Government has not agreed to be bound by Article 11 in relation to the cost of labour, the Committee notes the information provided with respect to the application of this provision. It notes that the FSO has been compiling statistics on the cost of labour since 2012 on the basis of the data obtained through the Swiss Earnings Structure Survey. The Committee invites the Government to continue providing information on the statistics compiled by the FSO on the cost of labour and to consider the possibility of accepting the obligations of Article 11 of the Convention, in accordance with the provisions of Article 16(3).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Article 8 of the Convention. Population census. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government. It would be grateful if the Government would provide in its next report information on the methodological information on the 2010 population census, as well as the final census results as soon as they become available.

Article 9. Compilation of statistics of wages and hours of work. Taking note of the information provided by the Government, the Committee draws its attention to the Resolution I[1] concerning the measurement of working time adopted by the International Conference of Labour Statisticians in November–December 2008, which defines new concepts and measures in this area of statistics.

Article 16. Acceptance of obligations. In reply to the Committee’s previous request concerning the conduct of a biennial survey of labour costs (Article 11), the Government indicates that the survey of labour costs has not been achieved so far, but that estimates on these costs are being prepared every two years since 2000 and that comprehensive data on this subject will be available from 2012. The Committee notes this information and would be grateful if the Government would keep the Office informed of any developments in this respect.

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

1. Further to its observation, the Committee notes, in reply to its request concerning the obligation deriving from Article 16, paragraph 4, of the Convention, the indication that it has not been possible to conduct the biennial survey of labour costs envisaged in the global system of statistics of wages and labour costs (Article 11) due to lack of personnel, but that it is nevertheless planned to carry out a pilot survey of labour costs in parallel to the 2006 survey of the structure of wages with a view to supplementing the estimates of labour costs based on existing information. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would keep the Office informed of any development in this respect.

2. The Committee notes that the Government maintains, for agriculture, the limitation on the scope of application of Articles 9 and 10, authorized under Article 17, on the grounds that the data available on agricultural wages are not sufficiently representative of wages in the agricultural sector, which is characterized by a very high number of small farms worked by their owners.

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

The Committee notes the Government’s report concerning developments in the application of the Convention, the information supplied in reply to its previous comments and the attached statistics and corresponding methodological information.

In particular, it notes with satisfaction that Article 9 is now fully applied, with statistics on normal hours of work being compiled annually on the basis of reports of injuries to workers, while statistics on minimum wages and wage rates are derived from the survey of collective labour agreements (CCT) and classified by skills level and branch of activity.

The Committee is addressing a request directly to the Government on other points.

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

The Committee takes note of the Government’s report, and asks the Government to supply information on the following points.

Articles 9 and 10 of the Convention.  The Committee takes note of the progress made and the implementation of a statistical programme based on a certain number of surveys which can fulfil the requirements of Articles 9, paragraph 1, and 10 and partially of Article 9, paragraph 2 (concerning normal hours of work). It asks the Government to indicate whether the statistical information taken from the survey on the collective agreements can establish statistics of rates of wages (or wage tariffs) in accordance with Article 9, paragraph 2.

Concerning the limitation provided for by Article 17, the Committee notes the indication in the Government’s report that wages in agriculture are collected annually by means of the survey on wages of employees in agriculture. In this case, the Committee suggests that the Government considers the possibility of withdrawing the limitation concerning the scope of Articles 9 and 10 in regard to agriculture. The Committee asks the Government to communicate complementary methodological information and the corresponding statistics to the Office.

Article 13.  The Committee asks the Government to provide further methodological information concerning the 1998 survey and to transmit the publication containing the results from the 1998 survey to the Office as soon as it becomes available (in accordance with Article 6). The Committee also asks the Government to keep the Office informed of any future developments in the field of household income and expenditure statistics.

Article 14.  The Committee notes that separate statistics are published by the LAA for occupational injuries and occupational diseases. It asks the Government to indicate whether it plans to collect and compile data on the number of days lost as a result of occupational injuries.

Article 16.  Recalling that the Government did not accept the obligations of Article 11, the Committee is making the following remarks on it for the purpose of clarifying the extent to which effect is already given to the provisions. The Committee notes that the Government contemplates carrying out a study on the labour cost based on statistical sources in existence. It asks the Government to keep the Office informed of any development in this regard (in accordance with Article 6).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 82nd ILC session (1995)

The Committee notes the Government's third report, particularly the information supplied in answer to its previous comments concerning Article 2 and Article 3 (concerning Articles 9 and 10) of the Convention.

Article 8. The Committee notes that the documentation on the methodology relating to the last census is now available at the Office. It asks the Government to send to the Office as soon as possible the published statistics compiled in the above census in accordance with the provisions of Article 5.

Articles 9 and 10. The Committee notes the progress made and the work being done to set up a national survey of the structure and distribution of wages, which will provide the statistics required by Article 9, paragraph 1, and Article 10. It asks the Government to indicate whether it is planned that this survey will enable statistics of time-rates of wages to be compiled, in accordance with Article 9, paragraph 2. It also asks the Government to provide the Office with statistical data (in accordance with Article 5) and detailed information on the methodology (in accordance with Article 6) not only of the new survey but also of the annual statistics project on working time in terms of hours actually worked per year, particularly its coverage in terms of persons and industries, etc.

Article 14. In the absence of any additional information, the Committee asks the Government once again to indicate whether it plans to collect and compile data on the number of days lost as a result of occupational injuries, and also to present statistics of occupational injuries and occupational diseases separately, as recommended in the resolution on this subject adopted by the 13th International Conference of Labour Statisticians (1982).

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

The Committee takes note of the Government's second report and in particular of the information supplied in response to its previous comments concerning Articles 7 and 13 of the Convention.

Article 2. The Committee asks the Government to state whether, for Articles 9, 10 and 14, the latest standards and guidelines were followed in designing or revising the concepts, definitions and methodology used, and to give the reasons for any departure from these standards and guidelines.

Article 8. The Committee again asks the Government to indicate whether a description of the methodology used in the collection and compilation of statistics of the structure and distribution of the economically active population has been published and, if so, to provide a copy of it or indicate the references required by Article 6(c).

Articles 9 and 10. The Committee notes that the Federal Office for Industry and Labour (OFIAMT) has started preparatory work on the revision of the methodology of statistical surveys on wages and salaries. It asks the Government to provide information on the method used, following this revision, to collect and compile statistics, as well as information on consultations with employers' and workers' organizations, in accordance with Article 3. It also asks the Government to provide information on any progress made in including certain categories of workers or persons who were originally excluded from the scope of the statistics referred to in these Articles (Article 17, paragraph 2).

Article 14. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate whether it plans to collect and compile statistics on the number of days lost owing to occupational injury, and also to present statistics of occupational injuries and of occupational diseases separately, as recommended in the resolution on this subject adopted by the 13th International Conference of Labour Statisticians (1982).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1990, published 77th ILC session (1990)

The Committee has taken note of the first report from the Government and asks it to supply additional information on the following points:

Article 2 of the Convention. Please specify for each Article of Part II of the Convention - the obligations which are binding on Switzerland - whether, when designing or revising the concepts, definitions and methodology used for the collection, compilation and publication of statistics, the latest standards and guide-lines established under the auspices of the ILO have been taken into consideration. In the event of departure from these guide-lines, please supply the reasons.

Article 7. (a) The Government indicates that the statistics currently compiled on the economically active population cover all employed persons, with the exception of homeworkers, but that a survey on the economically active population will be conducted annually from May 1991 on. The Committee takes note of this statement. It hopes that this survey will be conducted on the basis of the standards and guide-lines established under the auspices of the ILO, that it will cover the total economically active population and that the results will be regularly communicated to the ILO.

(b) The Committee notes, furthermore, that the statistics on unemployment cover the jobseekers referred to in the 1982 Federal Law on Unemployment Insurance, who have registered with the appropriate employment exchanges. It also notes that these statistics are to be revised with a view to obtaining information on visible underemployment to which the Convention refers. The Committee asks the Government to communicate the results of this revision in the near future.

Article 8 (in connection with Article 6(c)). Please indicate whether a description of the methodology used for the collection and compilation of statistics on the structure and distribution of the economically active population has also been published by the competent national body and, if so, please communicate a copy of this publication or indicate the references thereof.

Articles 9, 10 and 13 (in connection with Article 17). The Committee notes that the Government has limited the scope of the statistics on average wages and hours of work (hours actually worked), on wage structure and distribution and on household (or family) expenditure and income, excluding certain categories of wage-earners or of persons, as the case may be. The Committee notes, however, that, according to the report, the Federal Department of Industry, Arts and Trades and Employment (OFIAMT), which is the authority entrusted with the compilation of statistics, is currently working on a programme with a view to designing a system of statistics on wages and working conditions in which the elements prescribed in Articles 9 and 10 of the Convention will be taken into consideration. With regard to household expenditure and income (Article 13), the Government indicates that a representative consumer survey, which is to be conducted as part of the revision programme referred to above, will also make it possible to collect data on other categories of household expenditure; this survey will cover the total resident population. The Committee asks the Government to communicate the statistical data established as a result of this inquiry as well as the method used for collecting and compiling them.

Article 14. Please (a) indicate whether the statistics on occupational injuries communicated with the report (statistics on accidents LAA) represent the country as a whole and whether they cover all branches of economic activity, and (b) specify the concepts and the methodology used for their collection and compilation.

Article 16, paragraph 4. The Committee notes that Switzerland has not accepted the obligations deriving from Article 11 concerning statistics of labour cost. The Committee hopes that the programme to review economic statistics (mentioned by the Government in its report), which is due to be implemented in the near future, will also be able to cover this field, and it asks the Government to supply information on the extent to which effect is given, or to which it is proposed to give effect, to the above provision, as requested in Article 16, paragraph 4, of the Convention.