Labour Statistics Convention, 1985 (No. 160) - Portugal (Ratification: 1993)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

The Committee notes the observations of the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers – National Trade Unions (CGTP-IN) and the General Workers’ Union (UGT), attached to the Government’s report, as well as the replies in this regard.

Article 3. Consultations with employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee notes the comments made by the CGTP-IN and the UGT. In particular, the CGTP-IN mentions: (i) the lack of appropriate statistical data to measure the extent of precarious and disguised self-employment; (ii) the lack of sufficient statistical data on occupational diseases, household income and expenditure, employment and unemployment of migrant workers, and the employment of civil servants; and (iii) the insufficiency of the current periodicity of the household expenditure survey (every five years). In its response, the Government indicates that: (i) the statistical data collected makes it possible, using different variables, to obtain information on self-employed workers, although the legality or illegality of the situation cannot be highlighted; and (ii) it is impossible to reduce the interval between two household expenditure surveys, which, from 2026 onwards, will be administered at the European Union level and carried out every six years. While noting these explanations, the Committee emphasizes that the availability of exhaustive, disaggregated and regularly updated data is an essential condition for the development, implementation and evaluation of policies on employment, social protection and occupational safety and health, and recalls the importance of the consultations provided for under Article 3 of the Convention, which enable the statistical needs of the social partners to be identified and the relevance of the national labour statistics programmes to be ensured. Therefore, the Committee requests the Government to continue the consultations with the representative employers’ and workers’ organizations on planning and expanding the field of labour statistics, particularly with regard to self-employed work, occupational diseases, migrant workers and the civil service.

Article 7 of the Convention. Employment, unemployment and underemployment statistics. The Committee notes with interest the Government’s indication that, in 2021, like most of the Member States of the European system of statistics, Portugal adopted new concepts defined in the Resolution concerning statistics of work, employment and labour underutilization, adopted by the International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS) at its 19th session in 2013 (Resolution I). It welcomes the efforts made at the European level to harmonize the concepts and definitions that enable the collection of statistical data relating to the labour market. The Committee requests the Government to continue to regularly provide the data required under the Convention. It also requests the Government to provide information on any developments which would have an impact on the implementation of the Resolution concerning statistics of work, employment and labour underutilization, adopted by the ICLS at its 19th session in 2013, theResolution concerning statistics on work relationships, adopted by the ICLS at its 20th session in 2018 (Resolution I), and theResolution concerning statistics on the informal economy, adopted by the ICLS at its 21st session in 2023 (Resolution I).

Article 8. Statistics of the structure and distribution of the economically active population. The Committee notes the information provided on the 2021 labour force census and, in particular, the indication that Statistics Portugal is working on a census based on drawing and integrating administrative data from various sources, which involves close coordination with various bodies. The scope of this work is part of a wider project to create a national data infrastructure. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information concerning the project to create a national data infrastructure and its possible impact on future censuses of the economically active population.

Articles 9 and 10. Statistics of average earnings and hours of work. Statistics on the wage structure. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government that the collection of relevant data is mandatory for employers covered by the Labour Code by means of employee records. It notes that: (i) this obligation does not apply to self-employed workers; and (ii) these registers do not include central and local public administration employees, with the exception of workers with individual work contracts, and only to the degree they are concerned. The Committee therefore requests the Government to provide information on the sources of the relevant data collected under the application of Articles 9 and 10 of the Convention for self-employed workers and central and local public administration employees.

Article 13. Statistics of household expenditure and income. The Committee notes that the last household expenditure survey dates from 2016. It recalls that paragraph 11 of the Labour Statistics Recommendation, 1985 (No. 170), suggests that data on household expenditure should be compiled at least once every ten years. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide to the ILO Department of Statistics (ILOSTAT) information on the collection of data required under Article 13 of the Convention, in particular information on the next planned survey on household expenditure.

Article 14. Statistics on occupational accidents and diseases. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government and welcomes the indication that, for the first time in 2022, due to improvements and developments in the collection of data on occupational accidents, the deadlines for submitting reports at the European level agreed with Eurostat were met. It also notes the information on the occupational accidents produced by the Strategy and Planning Office (Gabinete de Estratégia e Planejamento – GEP), a body under the Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, with competences delegated by the National Statistics Institute (INE), and published on the GEP website. In this regard, the Committee observes that, although the GEP does not yet provide information on occupational diseases, under European Regulation No. 1338/2008 and the group for European occupational diseases statistics, annual pilot tests are under way in all European Union Member States to establish a methodology for conceptual harmonization. In the light of the foregoing and of the decision of the International Labour Conference at its 110th session in June 2022 to recognize a safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work, the Committee requests the Government to: (i) provide information on any developments concerning the production and publication of statistics on occupational accidents and diseases; (ii) continue to regularly provide relevant statistics; and (iii) provide updated information on the sources, concepts, definitions and methodology used for the collection and compilation of data.

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

The Committee notes the observations of the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers – National Trade Unions (CGTP–IN) and of the General Workers’ Union (UGT), incorporated into the Government’s report.

Articles 7 and 8 of the Convention. Employment, unemployment and underemployment statistics. Statistics of the structure and distribution of the economically active population. The Committee welcomes the detailed statistical information provided by the Government and notes that it continues to regularly supply statistics to the ILO Department of Statistics for dissemination through its website (ILOSTAT). The main source of information on the labour force, employment, unemployment and visible underemployment continues to be the quarterly Labour Force Survey (LFS). Reliable quarterly and annual statistics on the labour force, employment, unemployment and time-related underemployment are derived from the LFS and are disseminated through the website of the Instituto Nacional de Estatística (National Institute of Statistics (INE)). In 2014, the INE began to produce LFS estimates of the main labour market indicators on a monthly basis (in addition to the usual quarterly estimates), thereby satisfying a specific requirement of the Principal European Economic Indicators (PEEIs), a set of economic indicators for the European Union, and making it possible to obtain monthly estimates related to successive three-month sets (moving quarters) to assure consistency with the quarterly estimates. In its observations, the UGT welcomes the production and publication of labour market indicators from the LFS on a monthly basis. The Committee notes that data on the economically active population derived from population censuses are regularly compiled and collected. The most recent round of the Population and Housing Census of Portugal was conducted in June 2011. The Committee requests that the Government continue to supply data and information on the methodology used in the application of these provisions. It also invites the Government to provide information on any plans for conducting the next population census. Please also include 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).

Articles 9 and 11, 14 and 15. Statistics compiled pursuant to the Convention. The Committee notes that statistics on average monthly and hourly earnings (hours paid for) are collected annually from the Quadros de Pessoal. Statistics refer to October of each year, cover all main branches of economic activity and are disaggregated by sex. The latest data in this regard refer to 2013. It also notes that statistics on average hours actually worked (in main and secondary activities) are collected from the quarterly LFS carried out by the INE. Statistics cover all main branches of economic activity and are disaggregated by sex. The latest data in this regard refer to 2014. With respect to Article 11, the Committee notes that 2014 data on average hourly labour costs in manufacturing collected from the Inquérito ao Custo da Mão de Obra have been provided to the ILO Department of Statistics for dissemination on ILOSTAT. With respect to statistics of occupational injuries and occupational diseases (Article 14), as well as statistics of industrial disputes (Article 15), the Committee notes the detailed information provided by the Government in reply to its previous comments and notes that such statistics are also regularly submitted to the ILO Department of Statistics. The Committee notes the observations of the CGTP–IN regarding the dissolution of the National Centre for the Protection against Occupational Diseases. In its response, the Government indicates that all activities formerly conducted by that body have been taken over by other agencies. While both the CGTP–IN and UGT acknowledge that statistics are produced with respect to all areas covered by the Convention, both workers’ organizations indicate that weaknesses and gaps remain in the labour statistics produced by the Government. The Committee requests that the Government continue to provide updated statistical information to the ILO Department of Statistics (Article 6). It also requests the Government to provide information on any changes made to the labour statistics compiled and published, following consultations with the social partners (Article 3).

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

Article 9 of the Convention. The Committee draws the attention of the Government to Resolution I[1] concerning the measurement of working time adopted by the 18th International Conference of Labour Statisticians in November–December 2008, which defines new concepts and measures in this area of statistics.

Article 14. The Committee notes with interest the progress the Government is making in improving the coverage and range of sources of data on occupational injuries and diseases. It would be grateful if the Government would provide detailed information on the data definitions, collection and compilation methods used for the statistics on occupational accidents included in the report and to keep the ILO informed of further development concerning the completion of statistics on occupational injuries and diseases.

Article 15. The Committee takes note of the information provided by the Government on the methodological brief update. The Committee asks the Government to keep the ILO informed of any progress made on the compilation and publication of statistics on strikes covering also the public administration.

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

The Committee notes the Government’s report, the replies to its previous comments and the legislation adopted during the reporting period. While noting that full effect is now given to Articles 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 of the Convention, it would be grateful if the Government would provide additional information on the following points.

Article 9. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing the statistics required by this Article as soon as they are available. The Committee notes in reply to its previous comments that the only publication containing the statistics required by this Article of the Convention is the INE Statistical Yearbook of Portugal. It nevertheless requests the Government to inform the ILO of any development relating to methodological information concerning the surveys referred to in its report.

Article 14. The Government is requested to provide to the ILO, statistics of occupational injuries for 2002, including statistics of workdays lost for employees and the self-employed, as soon as they are published, as well as information on the development of statistics on occupational injuries in public administration.

Article 15. The Committee requests the Government to provide to the ILO statistics of strikes in public administration as soon as they are published.

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

The Committee notes the Government’s report and, in particular the comments of the Government in relation to the observations of the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (CGTP). In this respect, the Government states that the General Council of the Institute for Management of the Government Human Resources Data Base is responsible, in particular, for adopting the Institute’s annual or multi-annual programme of activities and approving the general annual census. It notes that this General Council includes four members nominated by trade union associations representing government employees, which allows trade union associations to participate in implementing the statistical information system relating to public employees and its integration into the national statistical system.

The Committee also notes that the information regarding the application of Articles 8 and 12, of the Convention. It asks the Government to provide further information on the following points.

Article 7.  The Committee again asks the Government to supply, if available, employment data derived from the establishment survey (in accordance with Article 5).

Articles 9 and 10.  The Committee notes that the major change since the previous report consists in the introduction of an annual census of civil servants and public employees, and the production of statistics on their level and structure of earnings and hours of work, thus extending the statistical system to this sector which was excluded from existing surveys and administrative sources. The Committee notes, however, that the only publication containing statistics related to this Article made available at the ILO, is the INE Statistical Yearbook of Portugal - (Anuario Estatístico de Portugal). It asks the Government: (i) to indicate the title and reference number of the other principal publication(s) in which the data appear, or their equivalent method of dissemination, and to communicate them to the ILO as soon as feasible (in accordance with Article 5); and (ii) to publish and communicate to the ILO the relevant methodological information, in particular with respect to the Quadros de Pessoal and the monthly indices of earnings and hours of work in industry (Article 6).

Article 13.  The Committee notes that, on the basis of the information contained in the publication Inquérito aos Orçamentos Familiares 1994/1995-Metodologia, it appears that the concepts, definitions and methodology used for the 1994-95 survey are consistent with the international standards recommended in the resolution on household income and expenditure statistics adopted by the International Conference of Labour Statisticians in 1973. However, no statistics have been communicated to the ILO. The Committee asks the Government to communicate the results of the 1994-95 survey to the ILO (in accordance with Article 5) by the transmission of the publication Inquérito aos Orçamentos Familiares 1994/1995 - Resultados.

Article 14.  The Committee notes the information supplied regarding the extension of coverage of compulsory occupational accident insurance to the self-employed and consequently the possibility of compiling statistics of occupational injuries for the self-employed in a similar way to those compiled for employees, as well as the intended compilation of statistics on occupational injuries in public administration. It asks the Government to communicate the statistics compiled for these categories to the ILO as soon as they become available. The Committee notes with interest that, according to information available at the ILO, statistics on occupational injuries and occupational diseases have also been collected via an ad hoc module of questions attached to the Labour Force Survey. It also notes that data on workdays lost will be available as from the year 2000. The Committee asks the Government to communicate these statistics to the ILO when they are available (in accordance with Article 5).

Article 15.  The Committee notes the information supplied regarding statistics of strikes in public administration. It asks the Government to send these data to the ILO (in accordance with Article 5).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

The Committee has noted the Government's report, and in particular information concerning the application of Article 10 of the Convention. It also notes the comments of the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (CGTP), attached to the Government's report, and requests the Government to supply further information on the following points.

Article 5. The Committee would again draw the Government's attention to the obligations under this Article to communicate to the ILO as soon as practicable the published statistics covered by the Convention, for instance, the employment data derived from establishment surveys (Article 7), and from the 1991 population census (Article 8).

Article 9(2). (i) The Committee recalls that current statistics of wage rates and normal hours of work are compiled as regards a number of pre-selected occupations within the sectors of civil engineering and public works. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate in its future reports any steps contemplated to extend this coverage to other branches of economic activity and other occupations. (ii) The Committee notes that the series of average occupational wage rates and indices which used to be compiled under the responsibility of INE (National Institute of Statistics) have been discontinued. However, information available in the ILO indicates that new series of occupational wages and hours of work are contemplated, based on administrative sources. The Government's report states that it is envisaged to compile two earnings indices covering the whole country and all economic activities, on the basis of available sources. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any development in the field of the statistics of occupational wages and hours of work, and in particular, to indicate whether the statistics referred to above are being compiled and whether they constitute one single or two distinct sources of data.

Articles 9, 10 and 11. The Committee notes the comment made by the CGTP, which points out that one of the main weaknesses of the national labour statistics programme is the exclusion of public administration from various sources, and in particular, from the earnings survey and the Quadros de Pessoal concerning the application of Articles 9, 10 and 11. In the CGTP's opinion, this lack of coverage means that there is limited information on earnings (trends, structure, etc.) and hours of work in this sector. The Committee requests the Government to indicate which steps, if any, are contemplated to extend the coverage of the statistics covered under Articles 9, 10 and 11 to the public administration sector.

Article 12. The Committee notes that, according to the Government's report, a new consumer price index is now calculated and published on base 1995=100. It notes however that, according to the publication "Indice de Preços no Consumidor" available at the ILO, the new base year published is 1997=100. The Committee would be grateful for a clarification on the actual base year.

Article 13. The Committee notes that the Government has submitted, in response to its previous request, some information on the 1994-95 survey of family income and expenditure, but has provided no description of the sources, concepts, definitions and methodology used in this survey. In this regard, it also notes the comments of CGTP concerning the difficulty in using administrative data on taxation. The Committee requests the Government to communicate to the ILO the results of the 1994-95 surveys as well as a detailed description of the methodology in accordance with Articles 5 and 6.

Article 14. The Committee noted in the previous direct request that, as a result of the recent methodological and procedural revisions, the Government would be able to collect, compile and publish data on workdays lost. It requests the Government to supply information on any further developments in this regard. It would also be grateful to have information regarding any steps that are planned to collect, compile and publish statistics of occupational injuries covering public administration, as commented by the CGTP, and the self-employed who are not insured.

Article 15. Referring to the CGTP's comment, the Committee requests the Government to supply information regarding any steps that are planned to collect, compile and publish statistics of strikes and lockouts in public administration.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

The Committee has noted the Government's report, as well as the comments of the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (CGTP), attached to the Government's report. CGTP points out that one of the weaknesses of the national labour statistics programme is the exclusion of public administration from various sources, and comments also on the scope of certain statistics covered by the Convention. The Committee is dealing with these comments in its direct request, and asks the Government to refer to the specific questions raised therein.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1996, published 85th ILC session (1997)

The Committee has noted the Government's first report. It requests the Government to supply further information on the following points.

Article 5 of the Convention. The Committee would draw the Government's attention to the obligations under this Article to communicate to the ILO as soon as practicable the published statistics covered by the Convention, for instance, the employment data derived from establishment surveys (Article 7), and from the 1991 Population Census (Article 8).

Article 9(2). The Committee notes that current statistics of wage rates and normal hours of work are compiled as regards a number of pre-selected occupations within selected industries. Although this coverage is in conformity with the international standards, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate in its future reports any steps contemplated to extend this coverage to other branches of economic activity and other occupations.

Article 10. The Committee notes that the Government intends to conduct a Structure of Earnings Survey within the framework of the European Union, and asks the Government to supply information on any developments in this regard. It also requests the Government to indicate whether data on the composition of earnings and hours of work (paid for or actually worked) are available from any other source (such as "Quadros de Pessoal").

Article 13. The Committee notes that the available information is not sufficient for the assessment of the application of this Article. It requests the Government to communicate to the ILO the statistics available on household income and expenditure together with the relevant methodological information as required under Articles 5 and 6.

Article 14. The Committee notes that, as a result of the recent methodological and procedural revisions, the Government will be able to collect, compile and publish data on work-days lost. It would be grateful if the Government would supply information on any further developments in this regard.