This seminar is designed primarily for economists, statisticians, researchers, analysts, and managers working with compensation data. Participants should have an elementary knowledge of statistics and some experience in analyzing labor or social data. Discuss minimum wages Program content Wages, salaries, and benefits account for a substantial part of a country's national income. The magnitude of these figures underscores the importance of an adequate statistical program measuring employee compensation. Reliable statistics on wages, salaries, and benefits are useful to labor and management in collective bargaining and other labor negotiations.
Governments also use such statistics when formulating public and monetary policy.
Knowledge of levels and trends in pay rates by occupation, industry, and locality is important in the analysis of current economic developments and in studies relating to wage dispersion and differentials. Participants are encouraged to bring examples of wage surveys, including methodology and questionnaires, from their own countries to use in discussions and workshops. These surveys may measure rates of pay, compensation, or income. Time will be reserved for participants to have appointments with staff of BLS and other organizations to discuss special problems that participants might have in dealing with compensation data and minimum wages.