COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 377/2008
of 25 April 2008
implementing Council Regulation (EC) No 577/98 on the organisation of a labour force sample survey in the Community as regards the codification to be used for data transmission from 2009 onwards, the use of a sub-sample for the collection of data on structural variables and the definition of the reference quarters
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 577/98 of 9 March 1998 on the organisation of a labour force sample survey in the Community (1), and in particular Articles 1 and 4(3) thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No 577/98 requires that, in the case of a continuous survey, a list of the weeks making up the reference quarters for the survey is drawn up by the Commission.
(2)
In accordance with Article 4(3) of Regulation (EC) No 577/98, implementing measures are necessary in order to define the codification of the variables to be used for the data transmission.
(3)
Under Article 4(4) of Regulation (EC) No 577/98, a list of variables, hereinafter referred to as structural variables, may be identified from among the survey characteristics which need to be surveyed only as annual averages with reference to 52 weeks rather than as quarterly averages. Therefore, the conditions for the use of a sub-sample for the collection of data on structural variables should be laid down.
(4)
In view of the importance of data on employment and unemployment, the totals for these indicators should be consistent whether they are produced from the annual sub-sample or on the basis of an annual average of the four quarterly full samples.
(5)
In view of the importance of data collected in ad hoc modules, this information should be combinable with any other variable from the survey.
(6)
Regulation (EC) No 577/98 as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1372/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council makes the transmission of the variable ‘wages from the main job’ compulsory. Therefore, the codification of the variables should be amended.
(7)
Commission Regulation (EC) No 430/2005 implementing Council Regulation (EC) No 577/98 on the organisation of a labour force sample survey in the Community concerning the codification to be used for data transmission from 2006 onwards and the use of a sub-sample for the collection of data on structural variables (2) defines the codification to be used for the data transmission from 2006 onwards. However, it is necessary to amend the coding scheme from 2009 onwards in order to take account of changes in two variables (field of highest level of education or training successfully completed and monthly pay from main job), to adapt the transmission columns accordingly and to correct some filter errors and omissions for other variables. Commission Regulation (EC) No 430/2005 should therefore be repealed with effect from 1 January 2009.
(8)
The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Statistical Programme Committee established by Council Decision 89/382/EEC, Euratom (3),
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
Structural variables
The conditions for the use of a sub-sample for the collection of data on structural variables are laid down in Annex I.
Article 2
Reference quarters
The definition of the reference quarters to be applied from 2009 is laid down in Annex II.
Article 3
Codification
The codes for the variables to be used for the data transmission for the years 2009 onwards are laid down in Annex III.
Article 4
Repeal
Regulation (EC) No 430/2005 shall be repealed with effect from 1 January 2009.
Article 5
Entry into force
This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
It shall apply from 1 January 2009.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Brussels, 25 April 2008.