Labour Statistics Convention, 1985 (No. 160) - Norfolk Island

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2014, published 104th ILC session (2015)

Article 7 of the Convention. Unemployment and underemployment statistics. The Committee notes that the main source for statistics on the labour force (formerly known as the economically active population) and employment continues to be the Census of Population and Housing, which is conducted every five years, the latest one having taken place in 2011. The statistics derived from this source are representative of Norfolk Island as a whole. The Committee invites the Government to provide information on any developments made pertaining to the collection and dissemination of unemployment and underemployment statistics. Please also keep the ILO informed of any developments towards the implementation of the Resolution concerning statistics of work, employment and labour underutilization, adopted by the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians (October 2013).

Article 8. Statistics of the structure and distribution of the economically active population. The Committee notes that there has been no change since the previous report, except as regards the production of the 2011 Census and related addendum reports. The Committee invites the Government to keep the ILO informed of any changes in the application of this provision of the Convention and in the implementation of the Resolution concerning statistics of work, employment and labour underutilization.

Article 12. Consumer price indices. The Committee notes from the Norfolk Island Annual Report 2012–13 that the Retail Price Index was interrupted in December 2011 due to a technical problem. A replacement system was being developed and was to be operational in 2014. The Committee invites the Government to provide the ILO with the statistical and methodological information on the Retail Price Index available following the second quarter of 2011.

Article 14. Statistics of occupational injuries. The Committee notes that the Norfolk Island Annual Report 2012–13 includes information on the number of workplace accident claims made to the Compensation Fund. The Committee invites the Government to provide the ILO with statistics on occupational injuries on a regular basis and more detailed methodological information on the compilation of such statistics.

Article 15. Statistics of industrial disputes. The Committee notes that the Norfolk Island Annual Report 2012–13 includes information on the activities carried out each year by the Employment Conciliation Board, which assists in the resolution of disputes between employees and employers. The Committee invites the Government to provide the ILO with statistics on industrial disputes on a regular basis and more detailed methodological information on the compilation of such statistics.

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

The Committee takes note of the Government’s report received on 23 September 2009 in reply to its previous comments.

Articles 9, 10 and 11 of the Convention. While recalling that none of these Articles have been accepted, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would keep the ILO informed of any development in the field of relevant statistical data. Meanwhile, the Committee draws to the attention of the Government the new international standards concerning the measurement of working time (see Resolution I, adopted by the 18th International Conference of Labour Statisticians whose larger number of concepts and measures are defined in depth. The text of this Resolution is accessible via: www.ilo.org/
global/What_we_do/Statistics/ standards/resolutions/lang--en/docName--WCMS_
112455/index.htm).

Article 12. In reply to the Committee’s previous comment, the Government provides in its report the quarterly retail price indices from the year 2000 to June 2009, published in the Norfolk Island Gazette, but no specific information is supplied concerning the consumer price index (CPI). The Committee would be grateful if the Government would: (i) specify which international standards were taken into account (Article 2); (ii) send more precise information concerning the extent of consultations and collaboration with workers’ and employers’ representatives (Article 3); (iii) provide regularly to the ILO retail price indices (Article 5); and (iv) supply to the ILO methodological description (Article 6).

Article 13. The Committee takes note of the results of 1995 Household Expenditure Survey available at www.cgc.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/
0010/3430/Section_08_-_Chapter_3_-Uniqueness_of_Norfolk_Island.pdf, as well as the copy of the Census and Statistics Act 1961 in which it is indicated that the statistician is responsible for collecting statistics on various topics, including household budget. It also notes the indication by the Government of eventual consultations with the representative organizations of employers and workers, where such exist and subject to resources, with a view to take into account their needs when formulating and revising the concepts, definitions and methodology of various surveys. Moreover, the Government indicates that, to the extent possible, standards and guidelines established under the auspices of the ILO are being followed and requests that account be taken of, and consideration be given, to the limited resources available for statistical activities. It does not provide any specific information regarding the standards, concepts, definitions and methodology for collecting statistics on household income and expenditure. From the information available to the ILO, it appears that the household expenditure survey has been conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics with 5-year periodicity. It is not clear, however, whether such a survey has been conducted after 1995.

The Committee draws the Government’s attention to the fact that  conducting household expenditure surveys at irregular long intervals may not be sufficient to identify changes in the consumption pattern of the population and to update the CPI basket of goods and services in a timely fashion. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would indicate the periodicity of the survey and  the most recent date for which they are available; provide a copy of the reports containing the results of surveys conducted after 1995, if any; and to indicate whether the concepts, definitions and methodology used for conducting household income and expenditure surveys are consistent with the ones used in the Australian expenditure survey.

Article 14. In reply to the Committee’s previous comment, the Government indicates that statistics on occupational injuries in the private sector, where required by section 63 of the Employment Act, are collected by the Norfolk Island Government Employment Liaison Officer. Those for the public sector are collected from the Human Resources Branch and occupational health and safety officers in each Norfolk Island government agency, having regard to section 7(c) of the Public Sector Management Act 2000. The data are presented in the publication the Norfolk Island Annual Report (2007–08) provided in annex to the report. On page 55 of the Annual Report it is stated that in 2007–08 there were 108 workplace accident claims against the Workers Compensation Fund, of which 18 were assistance payments for weekly wages, one of which was ongoing from the previous financial year. The Committee observes that, in the absence of more detailed methodological information, it is difficult to determine how these statistics relate to the concept of, and measurement rules for, an occupational injury defined in relevant international statistical standards, such as the resolution concerning statistics of occupational injuries (resulting from occupational accidents) adopted by the 16th ICLS in 1998. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide statistics on occupational injuries on a regular basis for publication in the ILO Yearbook of Labour Statistics and to provide more detailed methodological information on the compilation of the statistics.

Article 15. The Committee takes note of the information provided by the Government in reply to its previous comment. In view of the Convention having been declared applicable to the territory in 1992, the Committee recalls to the Government its obligation in regard to Article 15 and the collection, compilation and publication of statistics of industrial disputes and their supply to the ILO. It invites it to inform the ILO in due course of any action it foresees to progressively expand its coverage of statistics of industrial disputes, in consultation with the social partners and according to international guidelines.

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

The Committee notes the Government’s report, which contains some information in reply to its previous comments, and the Norfolk Island Census of Population and Housing (7 August 2001) attached to the report. It recalls that the Convention, of which all the Articles of Part II (i.e. Articles 7-15 of the Convention) were accepted by Australia, was declared applicable to Norfolk Island with modification, i.e. "Applies in respect of retail price indices and other relevant statistics collected in Norfolk Island censuses".

The Government is asked to supply further information on the following points.

Article 12 of the Convention. The Committee notes that in reply to its previous comments, the Government has only provided the quarterly retail price indices from March 2003 until March 2004 for all items. Since the same information was provided in the previous report, the Committee asks the Government to: specify which international standards were taken into account (Article 2); provide more precise information concerning the extent of consultations and collaboration with workers’ and employers’ representatives (Article 3); and provide regularly to the ILO retail price indices for all-items and for the major groups (Article 5).

Article 13. Noting that the Government has not provided in its report the information requested in its previous comments, the Committee once again asks the Government to provide the information on the survey of household expenditure completed in 1995, in accordance with Articles 2, 5 and 6.

Article 14. The Committee also reiterates its previous request for the Government to provide the information required under Articles 2, 3, 5 and 6, including a methodological description of the statistics, covering terms and definitions, coverage and the reporting and data collection procedures for statistics of occupational injuries.

Article 15. The Committee asks the Government to communicate to the ILO the statistics compiled in accordance with this Article, if any, (Article 5), as well as information on the methods used to compile such statistics (Article 6). In addition, it would be grateful if the Government would provide information concerning: (a) the standards and guidelines that were taken into account when the methodology for these statistics was established (Article 2); and (b) the consultations held with of the representative organizations of employers and workers (Article 3).

Article 16. Referring to its previous comments, and taking into account the fact that the Government is not bound by the obligations under Articles 9, 10 and 11, the Committee once again hopes that the Government will keep the ILO informed of any future developments in the field of economic statistical data, including the compilation and publication of statistics of average earnings and hours of work and, where appropriate, statistics of wage rates and normal hours of work, statistics of wage structure and distribution and statistics of labour costs, in accordance with Article 16, paragraph 4.

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

The Committee notes the Government’s report. It recalls that the Convention, of which all the Articles of Part II (i.e. Articles 7-15 of the Convention) were accepted by Australia, was declared applicable to Norfolk Island with modification, i.e. "Applies in respect of retail price indices and other relevant statistics collected in Norfolk Island censuses".

The Committee asks the Government to provide further information on the following points.

Article 8.  The Committee notes that the structure of the economically active population is obtained from the population census, and that it is planned to conduct the next census in 2001. The Committee asks the Government to communicate data derived from the latest census (total and economically active population) to the ILO as soon as practicable, in accordance with Article 5.

Article 12.  Noting general information about RPI included in A Guide to the Norfolk Island Retail Price Index 1991, the Committee asks the Government to send figures for CPI to the ILO (in accordance with Article 5), to indicate the title and reference of the publication, which contains detailed methodological description (in accordance with Article 6), if any, required under this Article, and for this description to be supplied to the ILO.

Article 13.  The Committee notes that a survey of household expenditure was completed in 1995. It asks the Government to send the relevant information on this survey as required by Articles 2, 5 and 6.

Article 14.  The Committee noted in its previous comments that statistics of occupational injuries seemed to be collected and compiled. It again asks the Government to provide information as required under Articles 2, 3, 5 and 6, including a methodological description of the statistics, covering terms and definitions, coverage, reporting and data collection procedures.

Article 16.  Although the Government did not accept Articles 9, 10 and 11, the Committee again asks the Government to keep the ILO informed of any future developments in the field of economic statistical data, which would include the compilation and publication of statistics of average earnings and hours of work, where relevant, statistics of wage rates and normal hours of work, statistics of wage structure and distribution and statistics of labour costs, in accordance with Article 16, paragraph 4.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1997, published 86th ILC session (1998)

The Committee notes the information supplied in the report, in particular, concerning Article 15 of the Convention and point III of the report form. It recalls that the Convention, of which all the Articles of Part II (i.e. Articles 7 to 15) were accepted by Australia, was declared applicable to Norfolk Island with modification: i.e. "applies in respect of retail price indices and other relevant statistics collected in Norfolk Island censuses".

The Committee requests the Government to continue to supply information on the types of statistics covered by the Convention that are collected in Norfolk Island and supply information regarding such statistics as required under Articles 2 (the extent to which international standards are followed), 3 (consultation with employers' and workers' organizations), 5 (communication of the published statistics to the ILO) and 6 (publication and communication to the ILO of methodological descriptions) of the Convention. Please provide, in particular, information on the following points.

Article 8. The Committee notes that various data and summary methodological information are published in the publication relating to the latest census attached to the report. It requests the Government to continue to supply detailed information in terms of both the published statistics and the methodological information in accordance with Articles 5 and 6.

Articles 9, 10 and 11. The Committee requests the Government to indicate any future developments in the field of economic statistical data, which would include the compilation and publication of statistics covered by these Articles namely those of average earnings and hours of work, where relevant, statistics of wage rates and normal hours of work, statistics of wage structure and distribution, and statistics of labour cost.

Article 12. The Committee notes from the available information that the requirements of Article 12 appear to be met at least partially. It draws the Government's attention to the obligations of Article 12, namely that the consumer price indices should be representative of the country as a whole, and requests the Government to supply more precise information concerning the scope and coverage of the statistics concerned. As the series of retail price index are compiled and published on base December 1990=100, the Committee asks the Government to indicate if it is just an update of the previous base year or if the base December 1990=100 has been established on the basis of a household expenditure survey; in this case which survey and when was it conducted.

In connection with Article 5, the Committee asks the Government to send figures and statistical publications to the ILO as soon as practicable. In connection with Article 6, it requests the Government to indicate the title and reference of the publication which contains the detailed methodological description (if any) required under this Article, and for this description to be supplied to the ILO.

Article 14. The Committee previously noted that statistics of occupational injuries seemed to be collected and compiled. It asks the Government to provide information as required under Articles 2, 3, 5 and 6, including a methodological description of the statistics, covering terms and definitions, coverage, reporting and data collection procedures (Article 6).

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1995, published 83rd ILC session (1996)

The Committee notes the first report and recalls that the Convention was declared applicable to Norfolk Island with modification: i.e. "applies in respect of retail price indices and other relevant statistics collected in Norfolk Island censuses".

The Committee notes that little information has been available as to what statistics are collected in Norfolk Island except that, according to the information received with the report, statistics of occupational injuries seem to be collected. It requests the Government to indicate which types of statistics covered by the Convention are collected in Norfolk Island and supply information regarding such statistics as required under Articles 2 (the extent to which international standards are followed), 3 (consultation with employers' and workers' organizations), 5 (communication of the published statistics to the ILO) and 6 (publication and communication to the ILO of methodological descriptions) of the Convention. Please provide, in particular, information on the following points.

Article 8. The Committee notes that data derived from the population censuses conducted in Norfolk Island in 1966 and 1971 have been available at the ILO. It asks the Government to provide methodological information concerning these censuses in accordance with Article 6, and also to indicate whether any population census has been carried out since 1971 and, if so, on what date(s).

Article 12. The Committee notes that, although the above declaration refers to the "retail price indices", no information has been received on this subject either in the Government's report or otherwise at the ILO. It asks the Government to supply information concerning the statistics of retail prices or consumer prices.

Article 14. The Committee notes with interest that statistics of occupational injuries seem to be collected and compiled. It asks the Government to provide information as required under Articles 2, 3, 5 and 6, including a methodological description of the statistics, covering terms and definitions, coverage, reporting and data collection procedures (Article 6).

Article 15. The Committee notes the information provided in the report concerning the handling of industrial disputes and the procedures for their settlement. It points out that Article 15 concerns industrial disputes with stoppage of work, currently referred to as "strikes and lockouts", and the collection of statistics of such stoppages, and requests the Government to indicate whether such statistics are collected.

Point III of the report form. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the statistical authority(ies) responsible for compiling the different statistics in compliance with the Convention.