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

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

Article 3 of the Convention. Consultations with organizations of employers and workers. The Government reiterates that social partners are regularly invited to participate in meetings organized by the Slovak Republic Statistical Office regarding upcoming statistical surveys. The Government further indicates that the input of social partners regarding the design and implementation of statistical survey documents and methodology must be taken into account. The Committee requests the Government to provide more detailed and concrete information, such as dates, agendas and minutes of meetings, on the manner in which the most representative employers’ and workers’ organizations are consulted in designing or revising the concepts, definitions and methodology used in the collection, compilation and publication of the statistics required under the Convention.

Articles 7 and 8. Statistics on the economically active population, employment, unemployment and underemployment, and on the structure and distribution of the economically active population. The Committee notes that the Government continues to regularly provide the ILO Statistics Department with updated statistics on employment, unemployment and visible underemployment, derived from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). The Committee also notes the information provided regarding the implementation of the Resolution concerning statistics of work, employment and labour underutilization, adopted by the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS) (2013) (Resolution I), in preparation of the 2021 Population and Housing Census. The Committee requests the Government to continue to supply updated statistics as well as information on the methodology used in the application of Articles 7 and 8 of the Convention. The Committee also invites the Government to inform it of any developments towards implementing the Resolution concerning statistics on work relationships, adopted by the 20th ICLS (2018) (Resolution I) and the Resolution concerning statistics on the informal economy, adopted by the 21st ICLS (2023) (Resolution I).

Article 11. Statistics of labour cost. The Government reiterates that there are currently no plans to accept the obligations under Article 11 of the Convention. It adds however that a new Government is being formed and that it may consider possible ratifications. The Committee notes in this regard that the Government continues to compile labour cost data annually from the Labour Cost Survey, broken down by economic activity, type and size of enterprise. Statistics of average hourly labour costs per employee continue to be provided to the ILO Department of Statistics for dissemination on ILOSTAT. The Committee therefore reiterates its encouragement to the Government to consider the possibility of accepting the obligations of Article 11 of the Convention in the near future, and requests the Government to inform the ILO of any developments in this respect.

Article 15. Statistics of industrial disputes. The Committee notes that statistics on strikes, disaggregated by economic activity, continue to be regularly supplied to the ILO Department of Statistics via its annual questionnaire on labour statistics. The Committee also notes that the statistics supplied do not cover lockouts. The Committee reiterates its invitation to the Government to consider the possibility of accepting the obligations of Article 15 and requests it to inform the ILO of any developments in this respect.

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

Article 3 of the Convention. Consultations with organizations of employers and workers. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report, in reply to its previous request that it indicate the methodology used for consulting the most representative employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Government indicates that, at regular annual intervals, the Slovak Republic Statistical Office invites all ministries and state organizations to submit their written requests towards the incorporation of indicators into short- and long-term statistical surveys carried out by the Statistical Office, along with requests for outputs from these surveys. The Government indicates that the Statistical Office has regularly consulted with the respective ministries and/or other central Slovak Republic bodies, as well as with the social partners, on the expediency, extent and periodicity of the statistical surveys. The Committee requests the Government to provide concrete information on the manner in which the most representative employers’ and workers’ organizations are consulted in designing or revising the concepts, definitions and methodology used in the collection, compilation and publication of the statistics required under the Convention.

Articles 7 and 8. Statistics on the economically active population, employment, unemployment and underemployment, and on the structure and distribution of the economically active population. The Committee notes that statistics on the economically active population, employment and unemployment, as well as census data and methodological information relating to the 2011 Population and Housing Census have been supplied to the ILO Department of Statistics for publication on ILOSTAT. The Committee invites the Government to provide 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).

Article 11. Statistics of labour cost. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that there are currently no plans to accept the obligations under Article 11, but that it will inform the ILO should the situation change. The Government nevertheless compiles labour cost data annually from the Labour Cost Survey, broken down by economic activity, type and size of enterprise. Statistics of average hourly labour costs per employee have been provided to the ILO Department of Statistics for dissemination on ILOSTAT. The Committee therefore encourages the Government to consider the possibility of accepting the obligations of Article 11 of the Convention in the future and invites it to inform the ILO of any developments in this respect.

Article 15. Statistics of industrial disputes. The Committee notes that statistics on strikes, disaggregated by economic activity, have been regularly supplied to the ILO Department of Statistics via its annual questionnaire on labour statistics. The Committee invites the Government to consider the possibility of accepting the obligations of Article 15 and invites it to inform the ILO of any developments in this respect.

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

Article 3 of the Convention. Consultations with organizations of employers and workers. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government, according to which it consulted the most representative employers’ and workers’ organizations on collecting, compiling and publishing statistical data. However, no information was provided on the methodology used for these consultations, and the Committee hopes that the Government will provide the ILO with this information in the next report.

Article 9(2). Compilation of statistics of time rates of wages and normal hours of work. Noting the information provided by the Government, the Committee draws its attention to 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. The Committee notes with interest the Government’s indication that it will consider and examine, in consultation with the social partners, the acceptance of the obligations of Article 11 of the Convention. It therefore requests the Government to keep the Office informed of the outcome of these consultations.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2005, published 95th ILC session (2006)

The Committee notes the Government’s report and the information it contains in response to its previous request. It would be grateful if the Government would provide in its next report information on the following points.

Consultations with organizations of employers and workers. Article 3 of the Convention. Referring to its previous requests, the Committee notes that the Government has not provided any information allowing it to assess the effect given to this provision of the Convention. It once again asks the Government to indicate how the representative organizations of employers and workers are consulted concerning the methodology used in the collection, compilation and publication of the statistics required under the Convention.

Unaccepted obligations. Article 16. The Committee notes that the Government’s programme does not include the acceptance of Articles 11 and 15 of the Convention. In so far as the statistics covered by these Articles are regularly compiled and transmitted to the ILO, the Committee urges the Government to consider accepting the obligations involved.

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

The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government. It notes with interest that Articles 7, 8, 9, paragraphs 1 and 2, and 10 of the Convention are applied with the compilation of: (i) statistics of the economically active population, employment, unemployment and visible underemployment through the labour force sample (Articles 7 and 8); (ii) monthly, quarterly and annual statistics of average earnings and hours actually worked, which are representative of the whole country, all branches of economic activities and all employees, and classified by branch of economic activity, sector, region and enterprise characteristics; further, once a year, statistics of earnings are classified by sex (Article 9, paragraph 1); (iii) annual statistics on average hourly or monthly wage and salary rates and normal hours of work, by occupation and occupational group, and statistics of occupational earnings and hours actually worked, classified according to detailed employee and employer characteristics, through the structure of earnings survey (Article 9, paragraph 2); and (iv) statistics of occupational earnings and hours actually worked are also compiled through the structure of earnings survey (Article 10).

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

Article 3.  The Committee again asks the Government to provide more precise information on the manner in which the representative organizations of employers and workers are consulted in designing or revising the concepts, definitions and methodology used in the compilation and publication of the statistics under the Convention.

Article 5.  The Committee notes that, apart from the publication containing the results of the 1998 structure of earnings survey, no publication is available in the ILO. It asks the Government to ensure that, whenever publications are issued, they are sent to the ILO (in English if available), or that their main contents be made available on the Statistical Office website.

Article 14.  The Committee notes that, since the coverage is limited to those workers with sickness insurance, who seem to comprise only about half of the total employed population, the statistics cannot be considered as being representative of the country as a whole. It further notes that there does not appear to have been any consultations with organizations of employers or workers when the statistical system was established. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on any steps it proposes to take to extend the coverage of the statistics to all groups of workers, in accordance with this Article, and the details of any national publication containing a description of the sources, concepts, definitions and methodology used to collect and compile the statistics (in accordance with Article 6). It also draws the Government’s attention to the obligation to consult the representative organizations of employers and workers when the statistical system used to compile the statistics is next updated (in accordance with Article 3).

Article 16.  The Committee notes the information in respect of Articles 11 and 15, under which obligations have not been accepted. It notes that the annual labour cost survey, which follows EUROSTAT recommendations and is in line with the ILO guidelines, fulfils the requirements of Article 11, and that, in general, the obligations of Article 15 appear to be met. Noting the Government’s indication in its report that "there is a possibility to extend the obligations of the Slovak Republic to Article 11 and Article 15, in accordance with Article 16", the Committee asks the Government officially to confirm its acceptance of the obligations of these Articles (in accordance with Article 16, paragraph 3). It also asks the Government to provide details of any national publications containing a description of the sources, concepts, definitions and methodology used to collect and compile the statistics (in accordance with Article 6).

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

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 following matters raised in its previous direct request:

The Committee requests the Government to indicate any modification to the legislation or to the system of labour statistics concerning the application of the Convention.

Article 2 of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to provide information, for each of the Articles of Part II of the Convention, on the progress made in following the latest international standards and guidelines and on the reasons for any departures from them. With regard in particular to the new classification of occupations and classification of economic activities (which were planned to be introduced as from January 1992, according to the Federal Government), the Committee asks the Government: (i) to indicate whether these classifications are actually already in use and, if so, to provide their copies and further information on their application; (ii) to confirm that the classification of occupations is based on ISCO-88 (and not ISCO-68); and (iii) to specify whether the classification of economic activities is based on ISIC-68 (Rev.2) or ISIC (Rev.3).

Article 3. The Committee has noted the Federal Government's reference to existing laws and regulations concerning consultation and cooperation with the employers' and workers' organizations. Please provide more precise information on the manner in which state statistical services consult these organizations.

Article 7. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether the labour force survey programme (which was envisaged by the Federal Government) has already been launched and, if so, to communicate to the ILO the published statistics (in accordance with Article 5) and methodological descriptions (in accordance with Article 6) on this survey with regard to statistics of the economically active population (and its employment and unemployment component).

Article 9, paragraph 1. The Committee noted the Government's indication that the existing statistics of average earnings and hours of work are limited to wage-earners (blue-collar jobs) in building construction and industry and that, for 1994, the statistical follow-up is intended for the whole economy. Please supply information on the restructuring of the system of wage statistics, particularly on the proposed coverage (including small-scale enterprises and the private sector), and indicate whether it will permit the compilation of data in respect of all important categories of employees and all important branches of economic activity. The Committee would appreciate complementary information on any changes in coverage, and in periodicity of the statistics of average earnings and hours actually worked. It would be grateful to receive also a copy of the Statistical Office's Instructions on statistical reporting, covering both state and private enterprises (mentioned in the Federal Government's report).

Article 9, paragraph 2. The Committee has noted the Federal Government's indication that statistics of time rates and normal hours of work have not been compiled since they were fixed by law. Please indicate whether it is proposed to take measures to compile statistics of wage rates and normal hours of work.

Article 10. The Committee notes that statistics of wage structure and distribution are compiled for wage-earners and salaried employees in state industrial enterprises only, excluding data on other branches of economic activity (the "non-production sphere") and on enterprises with less than 100 employees. Please provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to collect, compile and publish such statistics, covering all employees in important branches of economic activity.

Article 11. The Committee notes with interest that, although this Article was excluded from the acceptance of obligations of the Convention, statistics of "wage costs and other personnel costs" are compiled and published and that, according to the information available in the Office, it is now envisaged to introduce statistics of labour cost along the lines of the Statistical Office of the European Communities (EUROSTAT) labour cost survey. It requests the Government to continue reporting on this matter in accordance with Article 16, paragraph 4.

Article 14. The Committee requests the Government to communicate to the International Labour Office the published statistics covered by this Article (in accordance with Article 5), as well as a detailed description of the sources, concepts, definitions and methodology used in collecting and compiling these statistics (in accordance with Article 6(b)). It hopes that clarification will be given on the following points in particular: (i) concerning data collection: to whom does the organizational unit report? Which organization is responsible for data collection and its compilation? What, if any, is the role of the Slovak Occupational Safety Office in this process? (ii) concerning the coverage of statistics: what limitations in coverage might there be (size of enterprise, insurance, sector, etc.), and which organizations or enterprises, if any, might not be covered by these statistics?

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1994, published 81st ILC session (1994)

The Committee notes that the Slovak Republic has decided to continue to be bound by the obligations accepted in respect of Convention No. 160 which was ratified in 1988 by the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic.

The Committee has examined the information supplied in 1991 and 1992 by the Government of the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic (hereinafter "the Federal Government") in its first and subsequent reports. A general report on the Convention has also been received from the Slovak Republic. The Committee requests the Government of the Slovak Republic ("the Government") to indicate any modification to the legislation or to the system of labour statistics concerning the application of the Convention. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide, in particular, information on the following points.

Article 2 of the Convention. The Committee requests the Government to provide information, for each of the Articles of Part II of the Convention, on the progress made in following the latest international standards and guidelines and on the reasons for any departures from them. With regard in particular to the new classification of occupations and classification of economic activities (which were planned to be introduced as from January 1992, according to the Federal Government), the Committee asks the Government: (i) to indicate whether these classifications are actually already in use and, if so, to provide their copies and further information on their application; (ii) to confirm that the classification of occupations is based on ISCO-88 (and not ISCO-68); and (iii) to specify whether the classification of economic activities is based on ISIC-68 (Rev.2) or ISIC (Rev.3).

Article 3. The Committee has noted the Federal Government's reference to existing laws and regulations concerning consultation and cooperation with the employers' and workers' organizations. Please provide more precise information on the manner in which state statistical services consult these organizations.

Article 7. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether the labour force survey programme (which was envisaged by the Federal Government) has already been launched and, if so, to communicate to the ILO the published statistics (in accordance with Article 5) and methodological descriptions (in accordance with Article 6) on this survey with regard to statistics of the economically active population (and its employment and unemployment component).

Article 9, paragraph 1. The Committee notes the Government's indication in its general report that the existing statistics of average earnings and hours of work are limited to wage-earners (blue-collar jobs) in building construction and industry and that, for 1994, the statistical follow-up is intended for the whole economy. Please supply information on the restructuring of the system of wage statistics, particularly on the proposed coverage (including small-scale enterprises and the private sector), and indicate whether it will permit the compilation of data in respect of all important categories of employees and all important branches of economic activity. The Committee would appreciate complementary information on any changes in coverage, and in periodicity of the statistics of average earnings and hours actually worked. It would be grateful to receive also a copy of the Statistical Office's Instructions on statistical reporting, covering both state and private enterprises (mentioned in the Federal Government's report).

Article 9, paragraph 2. The Committee has noted the Federal Government's indication that statistics of time rates and normal hours of work have not been compiled since they were fixed by law. Please indicate whether it is proposed to take measures to compile statistics of wage rates and normal hours of work.

Article 10. The Committee notes that statistics of wage structure and distribution are compiled for wage-earners and salaried employees in state industrial enterprises only, excluding data on other branches of economic activity (the "non-production sphere") and on enterprises with less than 100 employees. Please provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to collect, compile and publish such statistics, covering all employees in important branches of economic activity.

Article 11. The Committee notes with interest that, although this Article was excluded from the acceptance of obligations of the Convention, statistics of "wage costs and other personnel costs" are compiled and published and that, according to the information available in the Office, it is now envisaged to introduce statistics of labour cost along the lines of the Statistical Office of the European Communities (EUROSTAT) labour cost survey. It requests the Government to continue reporting on this matter in accordance with Article 16, paragraph 4.

Article 14. The Committee requests the Government to communicate to the International Labour Office the published statistics covered by this Article (in accordance with Article 5), as well as a detailed description of the sources, concepts, definitions and methodology used in collecting and compiling these statistics (in accordance with Article 6(b)). It hopes that clarification will be given on the following points in particular: (i) concerning data collection: to whom does the organizational unit report? Which organization is responsible for data collection and its compilation? What, if any, is the role of the Slovak Occupational Safety Office in this process? (ii) concerning the coverage of statistics: what limitations in coverage might there be (size of enterprise, insurance, sector, etc.), and which organizations or enterprises, if any, might not be covered by these statistics?