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)
Date: 2008-04-25
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU statistics, data collection, data transmission, sampling, statistical method, working population

26.4.2008

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Official Journal of the European Union

L 114/57

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,

(6)

Having regard to the Treaty
Community,

establishing the European

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,

(7)

Whereas:

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.

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.

(8)

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.

a

survey

labour

sample

Commission Regulation (EC) No 430/2005 implemen-
ting Council Regulation (EC) No 577/98 on the organ-
isation of
in the
force
Community concerning the codification to be used for
data transmission from 2006 onwards and the use of a
the collection of data on structural
sub-sample for
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
for other
variables. Commission Regulation (EC) No 430/2005
should therefore be repealed with effect from 1 January
2009.

some filter errors and omissions

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in
accordance with
Statistical
Programme Committee established by Council Decision
89/382/EEC, Euratom (3),

opinion

the

the

of

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.

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.

In view of the importance of data collected in ad hoc
modules, this information should be combinable with
any other variable from the survey.

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.

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(1) OJ L 77, 14.3.1998, p. 3. Regulation last amended by Regulation
(EC) No 1372/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council
(OJ L 315, 3.12.2007. p. 42).

(2) OJ L 71, 17.3.2005, p. 36. Regulation last amended by Regulation

(EC) No 973/2007 (OJ L 216, 21.8.2007, p. 10).

(3) OJ L 181, 28.6.1989, p. 47.

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Official Journal of the European Union

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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.

Regulation (EC) No 430/2005 shall be repealed with effect from 1 January 2009.

Article 4

Repeal

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.

For the Commission

Joaquín ALMUNIA
Member of the Commission

26.4.2008

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Official Journal of the European Union

L 114/59

ANNEX I

CONDITIONS FOR THE USE OF A SUB-SAMPLE FOR THE COLLECTION OF DATA ON STRUCTURAL
VARIABLES

1. Yearly/quarterly variables
The word ‘yearly’ in the ‘Periodicity’ column of the Codification laid down in Annex III identifies structural variables
which optionally need only to be surveyed as annual averages, using a sub-sample of independent observations with
reference to 52 weeks, rather than as quarterly averages. Core variables to be surveyed each quarter are identified as
‘quarterly’.

2. Representativeness of the results

For structural variables, the relative standard error (without taking design effect into account) of any yearly estimate
representing 1 % or more of the working-age population shall not exceed:

(a) 9 % for countries with a population between 1 million and 20 million inhabitants and,

(b) 5 % for countries with a population of 20 million or more.

Countries with fewer than 1 million inhabitants are exempted from these precision requirements, and structural variables
should be collected for the total sample unless the sample meets the requirements set out in (a).

For countries using a sub-sample for data collection on structural variables, if more than one wave is used, the total sub-
sample used shall consist of independent observations.

3. Consistency of totals

Consistency between annual sub-sample totals and full-sample annual averages shall be ensured for employment, unem-
ployment and inactive population by sex and for the following age groups: 15 to 24, 25 to 34, 35 to 44, 45 to 54, 55 +.

4. Ad hoc modules

The sample used to collect information on ad hoc modules shall also provide information on structural variables.

L 114/60

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Official Journal of the European Union

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ANNEX II

DEFINITION OF THE REFERENCE QUARTERS

(a) Quarters of each year refer to the 12 months of the year, so that January, February and March belong to the first
quarter, April, May and June to the second quarter, July, August and September to the third quarter and October,
November and December to the fourth quarter.

(b) The reference weeks are allocated to the reference quarters so that a week belongs to the quarter as defined in (a) to
which at least four days of that week belong, unless this results in the first quarter of the year consisting of only 12
weeks. When that occurs, the quarters of the year in question will be formed by consecutive blocks of 13 weeks.

(c) When, according to (b), a quarter consists of 14 weeks instead of 13 weeks the Member States should attempt to

spread the sample over all of the 14 weeks.

(d)

If it is not feasible to spread the sample to cover all 14 weeks of the quarter, the Member State concerned may skip
one week of that quarter (i.e. not cover it). The week to be skipped should be typical with regard to unemployment,
employment and average actual hours worked and should be part of a month containing five Thursdays.

(e) The first quarter of 2009 shall start on Monday, 29 December 2008.

Until the end of 2011, Member States running the Labour Force Survey along with other surveys as one single integrated
survey may define the start of reference quarters one week earlier than laid down in (a), (b) and (e).

26.4.2008

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Official Journal of the European Union

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ANNEX III

CODIFICATION

Name

Column

Periodicity

Code

Description

Filter/Remarks

HHSEQNUM

1/2

QUARTERLY

DEMOGRAPHIC BACKGROUND

Sequence number in the household (it should remain
the same for all waves)

everybody

01-98

Two-digit sequence number allocated to each
member of the household

HHLINK

3

YEARLY

Relationship to reference person in the household

HHTYPE=1,3

1

2

3

4

5

6

9

Reference person

Spouse (or cohabiting partner) of reference
person

Child of reference person (or of his/her spouse
or cohabiting partner)

Ascendant relative of reference person (or of
his/her spouse or cohabiting partner)

Other relative

Other

Not applicable (HHTYPE≠1,3)

HHSPOU

4/5

YEARLY

Sequence number of spouse or cohabiting partner

HHTYPE=1,3

01-98

99

Sequence number of spouse or cohabiting
partner in the household

Not applicable (person does not belong to a
private household, or has no partner, or the
partner does not belong to this private
household)

HHFATH

6/7

YEARLY

Sequence number of father

HHTYPE=1,3

01-98

Sequence number of father in the household

99

Not applicable (person does not belong to a
private household, or the father does not
belong to this private household)

HHMOTH

8/9

YEARLY

Sequence number of mother

HHTYPE=1,3

01-98

Sequence number of mother in the household

SEX

10

QUARTERLY

99

1

2

Not applicable (person does not belong to a
private household, or the mother does not
belong to this private household)

Sex

Male

Female

everybody

YEARBIR

11/14

QUARTERLY

Year of birth

everybody

The 4 digits of year of birth are entered

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Official Journal of the European Union

26.4.2008

Name

Column

Periodicity

Code

Description

Filter/Remarks

DATEBIR

15

QUARTERLY

Date of birth in relation to the end of reference
period

everybody

MARSTAT

16

YEARLY

1

2

1

2

3

4

Person's birthday falls between 1 January and
the end of the reference week

Person's birthday falls after the end of the
reference week

Marital status

everybody

Single

Married

Widowed

Divorced or legally separated

blank

No answer

NATIONAL

17/18

QUARTERLY

Nationality

everybody

For coding, see ISO country classification

YEARESID

19/20

QUARTERLY

Years of residence in this country

everybody

00

Born in this country

01-99

Number of years of residence in this country

blank

No answer

COUNTRYB

21/22

QUARTERLY

Country of birth

YEARESID≠00

For coding, see ISO country classification

99

Not applicable (col.19/20=00)

blank

No answer

PROXY

23

QUARTERLY

Nature of participation in the survey

everybody aged 15
years or more

1

2

9

Direct participation

Participation via another member of the
household

Not applicable (child less than 15 years)

blank

No answer

LABOUR STATUS

WSTATOR

24

QUARTERLY

Labour status during the reference week

everybody aged 15
years or more

1

2

Did any work for pay or profit during the
reference week — one hour or more (including
family workers but excluding conscripts on
compulsory military or community service)

Was not working but had a job or business
from which he/she was absent during the
reference week (including family workers but
excluding conscripts on compulsory military or
community service)

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Name

Column

Periodicity

Code

Description

Filter/Remarks

NOWKREAS

25/26

QUARTERLY

3

4

5

9

00

01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

99

Was not working because on lay-off

Was a conscript on compulsory military or
community service

Other (15 years or more) who neither worked
nor had a job or business during the reference
week

Not applicable (child less than 15 years)

Reason for not having worked at all though having
a job

WSTATOR=2

Bad weather

Slack work for technical or economic reasons

Labour dispute

School education or training

Own illness, injury or temporary disability

Maternity leave

Parental leave

Holidays

Compensation leave (within the framework of
working time banking or an annualised hours
contract)

Other reasons (e.g. personal or family respon-
sibilities)

Not applicable (WSTATOR=1,3-5,9)

EMPLOYMENT CHARACTERISTICS OF
THE MAIN JOB

STAPRO

27

QUARTERLY

Professional status

WSTATOR=1,2

1

2

3

4

9

Self-employed with employees

Self-employed without employees

Employee

Family worker

Not applicable (WSTATOR=3-5,9)

blank

No answer

SIGNISAL

28

QUARTERLY

Continuing receipt of the wage or salary

1

2

3

Absent for up to and including 3 months

Absent for more than 3 months and receiving a
wage, salary or social allowances corresponding
to half or more of the salary

Absent for more than 3 months and receiving a
wage, salary or social allowances corresponding
to less than half of the salary

(WSTATOR=2 and
NOWKREAS≠04 and
NOWKREAS≠05 and
STAPRO=3) or
WSTATOR=3

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Name

Column

Periodicity

Code

Description

Filter/Remarks

4

9

Don’t know

Not applicable (WSTATOR≠2 or
NOWKREAS=04 or NOWKREAS=05 or
STAPRO≠3) and WSTATOR≠3

NACE3D

29/31

QUARTERLY

Economic activity of the local unit

WSTATOR=1,2

NACE Rev 2 coded at 2 or if possible 3 digit
level

000

Not applicable (WSTATOR=3-5,9)

blank

No answer

ISCO4D

32/35

QUARTERLY

Occupation

WSTATOR=1,2

ISCO-88 (COM) coded at 3 or if possible 4
digit level

9999

Not applicable (WSTATOR=3-5,9)

blank

No answer

SUPVISOR

36

YEARLY

Supervisory responsibilities

STAPRO=3

1

2

9

Yes

No

STAPRO≠3

blank

No answer

SIZEFIRM

37/38

YEARLY

Number of persons working at the local unit

STAPRO=1,3,4, blank

01-10

Exact number of persons, if between 1 and 10

11

12

13

14

15

99

11 to 19 persons

20 to 49 persons

50 persons or more

Do not know but fewer than 11 persons

Do not know but more than 10 persons

Not applicable (STAPRO=2,9)

blank

No answer

COUNTRYW

39/40

QUARTERLY

Country of place of work

WSTATOR=1,2

For coding, see ISO country classification

99

Not applicable (WSTATOR=3-5,9)

blank

No answer

REGIONW

41/42

QUARTERLY

Region of place of work

WSTATOR=1,2

NUTS 2

99

Not applicable (WSTATOR=3-5,9)

blank

No answer

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Name

Column

Periodicity

Code

Description

Filter/Remarks

YSTARTWK

43/46

QUARTERLY

Year in which person started working for this
employer or as self-employed

WSTATOR=1,2

Enter the 4 digits of the year concerned

9999

Not applicable (WSTATOR=3-5,9)

blank

No answer

MSTARTWK

47/48

QUARTERLY

Month in which person started working for this
employer or as self-employed

YSTARTWK≠9999,
blank & REFYEAR-
YSTARTWK<=2

01-12

Enter the number of the month concerned

99

Not applicable (YSTARTWK=9999, blank or
REFYEAR-YSTARTWK>2)

blank

No answer

WAYJFOUN

49

YEARLY

Involvement of the public employment office at any
moment in finding the present job

STAPRO=3 & has
started this job in the
last 12 months

0

1

9

No

Yes

STAPRO≠3 or has started this job more than 1
year ago

blank

No answer

FTPT

50

QUARTERLY

Full-time/Part-time distinction

WSTATOR=1,2

1

2

9

Full-time job

Part-time job

WSTATOR≠1,2

blank

No answer

FTPTREAS

51

YEARLY

Reasons for the part-time work

FTPT=2

Part-time job is taken because:

Person is undergoing school education or
training

Of own illness or disability

Looking after children or incapacitated adults

Other personal or family reasons

Person could not find a full-time job

Of other reasons

Not applicable (FTPT≠2)

1

2

3

4

5

6

9

blank

No answer

TEMP

52

QUARTERLY

Permanency of the job

STAPRO=3

1

2

Person has a permanent job or work contract of
unlimited duration

Person has temporary job/work contract of
limited duration

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Name

Column

Periodicity

Code

Description

Filter/Remarks

9

Not applicable (STAPRO≠3)

blank

No answer

TEMPREAS

53

YEARLY

Reasons for having a temporary job/work contract of
limited duration

TEMP=2

Person has temporary job/work contract of
limited duration because:

It is a contract covering a period of training
(apprentices, trainees, research assistants, etc.)

Person could not find a permanent job

Person did not want a permanent job

It is a contract for a probationary period

Not applicable (TEMP≠2)

1

2

3

4

9

blank

No answer

TEMPDUR

54

QUARTERLY

Total duration of temporary job or work contract of
limited duration

TEMP=2

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Less than one month

1 to 3 months

4 to 6 months

7 to 12 months

13 to 18 months

19 to 24 months

25 to 36 months

More than 3 years

Not applicable (TEMP≠2)

blank

No answer

TEMPAGCY

55

YEARLY

Contract with a temporary employment agency

STAPRO=3

0

1

9

No

Yes

Not applicable (STAPRO≠3)

blank

No answer

ATYPICAL WORK

SHIFTWK

56

YEARLY

Shift work

STAPRO=3

1

3

9

Person does shift work

Person never does shift work

Not applicable (STAPRO≠3)

blank

No answer

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Name

Column

Periodicity

Code

Description

Filter/Remarks

EVENWK

57

YEARLY

Evening work

WSTATOR=1 or
WSTATOR=2

1

2

3

9

Person usually works in the evening

Person sometimes works in the evening

Person never works in the evening

Not applicable (WSTATOR=3-5,9)

blank

No answer

NIGHTWK

58

YEARLY

Night work

WSTATOR=1 or
WSTATOR=2

1

2

3

9

Person usually works at night

Person sometimes works at night

Person never works at night

Not applicable (WSTATOR=3-5,9)

blank

No answer

SATWK

59

YEARLY

Saturday work

WSTATOR=1 or
WSTATOR=2

1

2

3

9

Person usually works on Saturdays

Person sometimes works on Saturdays

Person never works on Saturdays

Not applicable (WSTATOR=3-5,9)

blank

No answer

SUNWK

60

YEARLY

Sunday work

WSTATOR=1 or
WSTATOR=2

1

2

3

9

Person usually works on Sundays

Person sometimes works on Sundays

Person never works on Sundays

Not applicable (WSTATOR=3-5,9)

blank

No answer

HOURS WORKED

HWUSUAL

61/62

QUARTERLY

Number of hours per week usually worked in the
main job

WSTATOR=1,2

00

Usual hours cannot be given because hours
worked vary considerably from week to week
or from month to month

01-98

Number of hours usually worked in the main
job

99

Not applicable (WSTATOR=3-5,9)

blank

No answer

HWACTUAL

63/64

QUARTERLY

Number of hours actually worked during the
reference week in the main job

WSTATOR=1,2

00

Person having a job or business and not having
worked at all in the main activity during the
reference week

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Name

Column

Periodicity

Code

Description

Filter/Remarks

01-98

Number of hours actually worked in the main
job during the reference week

99

Not applicable (WSTATOR=3-5,9)

blank

No answer

HWOVERP

65/66

QUARTERLY

Paid overtime in the reference week in the main job

STAPRO=3

00-98

Number of paid overtime hours

99

Not applicable (STAPRO≠3)

blank

No answer

HWOVERPU

67/68

QUARTERLY

Unpaid overtime in the reference week in the main
job

STAPRO=3

00-98

Number of unpaid overtime hours

99

Not applicable (STAPRO≠3)

blank

No answer

HOURREAS

69/70

QUARTERLY

Main reason for hours actually worked during the
reference week being different from the person's usual
hours

HWUSUAL=00-98 &
HWACTUAL=00-98 &
WSTATOR=1

01

16

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

11

12

13

14

15

97

Person has worked more than usual due to:

— variable hours (e.g. flexible working hours)

— overtime

— other reasons

Person has worked less than usual due to:

— bad weather

— slack work for

technical or

economic

reasons

— labour dispute

— education or training

— variable hours (e.g. flexible working hours)

— own illness,

injury or temporary disability

— maternity or parental leave

— special leave for personal or family reasons

— annual holidays

— bank holidays

— start of/change in job during reference week

— end of job without taking up a new one

during reference week

— other reasons

Person having worked usual hours during the
reference week (HWUSUAL=HWACTUAL=01-
98)

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Name

Column

Periodicity

Code

Description

Filter/Remarks

98

99

Person whose hours vary considerably from
week to week or month to month and who did
not state a reason for a divergence between the
actual and usual hours (HWUSUAL=00 &
HOURREAS#01-16)

Not applicable (WSTATOR=2-5,9 or
HWUSUAL=blank or HWACTUAL=blank)

blank

No answer

WISHMORE

71

QUARTERLY

Wish to work usually more than the current number
of hours

(WSTATOR=1 or
WSTATOR=2)

0

1

9

No

Yes

Not applicable (WSTATOR=3-5,9)

blank

No answer

WAYMORE

72

YEARLY

Way how person wants to work more hours

WISHMORE=1

1

2

3

4

9

Through an additional job

Through a job working more hours than the
present job

Only within the present job

In any of the above ways

Not applicable (WISHMORE≠1)

blank

No answer

HWWISH

73/74

QUARTERLY

Number of hours that the person would like to work
in total

WSTATOR=1 or
WSTATOR=2

01-98

Number of hours wished to work in total

99

Not applicable (WSTATOR=3-5,9)

blank

No answer

HOMEWK

75

YEARLY

Working at home

WSTATOR=1 or
WSTATOR=2

1

2

3

9

Person usually works at home

Person sometimes works at home

Person never works at home

Not applicable (WSTATOR=3-5,9)

blank

No answer

LOOKOJ

76

QUARTERLY

Looking for another job

WSTATOR=1 or
WSTATOR=2

0

1

9

Person is not looking for another job

Person is looking for another job

Not applicable (WSTATOR=3-5,9)

blank

No answer

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Name

Column

Periodicity

Code

Description

Filter/Remarks

LOOKREAS

77

YEARLY

Reasons for looking for another job

LOOKOJ=1

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

9

— risk or certainty of loss or termination of

present job

— actual job is considered as a transitional job

— seeking an additional job to add more hours

to those worked in present job

— seeking a job with more hours worked than

in present job

— seeking a job with fewer hours worked than

in present job

— wish to have better working conditions (e.g.
pay, working or travel time, quality of work)

— other reasons

Not applicable (LOOKOJ≠1)

blank

No answer

SECOND JOB

EXIST2J

78

QUARTERLY

Existence of more than one job or business

WSTATOR=1 or
WSTATOR=2

1

2

9

Person had only one job or business during the
reference week

Person had more than one job or business
during the reference week (not due to change of
job or business)

Not applicable (WSTATOR=3-5,9)

blank

No answer

STAPRO2J

79

QUARTERLY

Professional status (in the second job)

EXIST2J=2

1

2

3

4

9

Self-employed with employees

Self-employed without employees

Employee

Family worker

Not applicable (EXIST2J=1,9, blank)

blank

No answer

NACE2J2D

80/81

QUARTERLY

Economic activity of the local unit (in the second job)

EXIST2J=2

NACE Rev. 2

00

Not applicable (EXIST2J=1,9, blank)

blank

No answer

HWACTUA2

82/83

QUARTERLY

Number of hours actually worked during the
reference week in the second job

EXIST2J=2

00

Person not having worked in the second job
during the reference week

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Name

Column

Periodicity

Code

Description

Filter/Remarks

01-98

Number of hours actually worked in the second
job during the reference week

99

Not applicable (EXIST2J=1,9, blank)

blank

No answer

PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE OF
PERSON NOT IN EMPLOYMENT

EXISTPR

84

QUARTERLY

Existence of previous employment experience

WSTATOR=3-5

0

1

9

Person has never been in employment (purely
occasional work, such as vacation work,
compulsory military or community service are
not to be considered as employment)

Person has already been in employment (purely
occasional work, such as vacation work,
compulsory military or community service are
not to be considered as employment)

Not applicable (WSTATOR=1,2 or 9)

blank

No answer

YEARPR

85/88

QUARTERLY

Year in which person last worked

EXISTPR=1

Enter the 4 digits of the year in which person
last worked

9999

Not applicable (EXISTPR=0,9, blank)

blank

No answer

MONTHPR

89/90

QUARTERLY

Month in which person last worked

01-12

99

Enter the number of the month in which
person last worked

Not applicable (YEARPR=9999, blank or
REFYEAR-YEARPR>2)

blank

No answer

YEARPR≠9999, blank
& REFYEAR-
YEARPR<=2

LEAVREAS

91/92

YEARLY

Main reason for leaving last job or business

EXISTPR=1 and
REFYEAR-YEARPR<8

00

01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

Dismissed or made redundant

A job of limited duration has ended

Looking after children or incapacitated adults

Other personal or family responsibilities

Own illness or disability

Education or training

Early retirement

Normal retirement

Compulsory military or community service

Other reasons

L 114/72

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

26.4.2008

Name

Column

Periodicity

Code

Description

Filter/Remarks

STAPROPR

93

QUARTERLY
only if having worked
in the last 12 months,
YEARLY otherwise

EXISTPR=1 and
REFYEAR-YEARPR<8

99

Not applicable (EXISTPR=0,9, blank, or
EXISTPR=1 and did not work in last 8 years)

blank

No answer

1

2

3

4

9

Professional status in last job

Self-employed with employees

Self-employed without employees

Employee

Family worker

Not applicable (EXISTPR=0,9, blank, or
EXISTPR=1 and did not work in last 8 years)

blank

No answer

NACEPR2D

94/95

QUARTERLY
if having worked in
the last 12 months,
YEARLY otherwise

Economic activity of the local unit in which person
last worked

EXISTPR=1 and
REFYEAR-YEARPR<8

NACE Rev. 2

00

Not applicable (EXISTPR=0,9, blank, or
EXISTPR=1 and did not work in last 8 years)

ISCOPR3D

96/98

blank

No answer

QUARTERLY
if having worked in
the last 12 months,
YEARLY otherwise

Occupation of last job

ISCO-88 (COM)

999

Not applicable (EXISTPR=0,9, blank, or
EXISTPR=1 and did not work in last 8 years)

blank

No answer

SEARCH FOR EMPLOYMENT

SEEKWORK

99

QUARTERLY

Seeking employment during previous four weeks

EXISTPR=1 and
REFYEAR-YEARPR<8

(WSTATOR=3-5 or
SIGNISAL=3) and
Age<75

1

2

3

4

9

1

2

SEEKREAS

100

YEARLY

Person has already found a job which will start
within a period of at most 3 months

Person has already found a job which will start
in more than 3 months and is not seeking
employment

Person is not seeking employment and has not
found any job to start later

Person is seeking employment

Not applicable (WSTATOR=1,2 or 9 and
SIGNISAL≠3) or Age equal or greater than 75

Reasons for not seeking employment

SEEKWORK=3

Person is not seeking employment because:

— awaiting recall to work (persons on lay-off)

— of own illness or disability

26.4.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 114/73

Name

Column

Periodicity

Code

Description

Filter/Remarks

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

— looking
adults

after

children or

incapacitated

— of other personal or family responsibilities

— of education or training

— of retirement

— of belief that no work is available

— of other reasons

Not applicable (SEEKWORK≠3)

blank

No answer

SEEKTYPE

101

QUARTERLY

Type of employment sought (or found)

SEEKWORK=1,2,4 or
LOOKOJ=1

The employment sought (for SEEKWORK=1,2
the employment found) is:

as self-employed

as employee:

— and only full-time job is sought

(or has

already been found)

— and full-time job is

sought, but

if not

available, part-time job will be accepted

— and part-time job is sought, but

if not

available, full-time job will be accepted

— and only part-time job is sought (or has

already been found)

— and person did not state whether full-time
or part-time job is sought (or has already
been found)

Not applicable (SEEKWORK≠1,2,4 and
LOOKOJ≠1)

1

2

3

4

5

6

9

SEEKDUR

102

QUARTERLY

Duration of search for employment

SEEKWORK=1,4 or
LOOKOJ=1

blank

No answer

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Search not yet started

Less than 1 month

1-2 months

3-5 months

6-11 months

12-17 months

18-23 months

24-47 months

4 years or longer

L 114/74

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

26.4.2008

Name

Column

Periodicity

Code

Description

Filter/Remarks

9

Not applicable (SEEKWORK≠1,4 and
LOOKOJ≠1)

blank

No answer

METHODS USED DURING PREVIOUS
FOUR WEEKS TO FIND WORK

METHODA

103

QUARTERLY

Contacted public employment office to find work

SEEKWORK=4 or
LOOKOJ=1

METHODB

104

QUARTERLY

METHODC

105

QUARTERLY

METHODD

106

QUARTERLY

METHODE

107

QUARTERLY

METHODF

108

QUARTERLY

METHODG

109

QUARTERLY

METHODH

110

QUARTERLY

0

1

9

0

1

9

0

1

9

0

1

9

0

1

9

0

1

9

0

1

9

0

1

9

No

Yes

Not applicable (SEEKWORK≠4 and LOOKOJ≠1)

Contacted private employment agency to find work

SEEKWORK=4 or
LOOKOJ=1

No

Yes

Not applicable (SEEKWORK≠4 and LOOKOJ≠1)

Applied to employers directly

SEEKWORK=4 or
LOOKOJ=1

No

Yes

Not applicable (SEEKWORK≠4 and LOOKOJ≠1)

Asked friends, relatives, trade unions, etc.

SEEKWORK=4 or
LOOKOJ=1

No

Yes

Not applicable (SEEKWORK≠4 and LOOKOJ≠1)

Inserted or answered advertisements in newspapers or
journals

SEEKWORK=4 or
LOOKOJ=1

No

Yes

Not applicable (SEEKWORK≠4 and LOOKOJ≠1)

Studied advertisements in newspapers or journals

SEEKWORK=4 or
LOOKOJ=1

No

Yes

Not applicable (SEEKWORK≠4 and LOOKOJ≠1)

Took a test, interview or examination

SEEKWORK=4 or
LOOKOJ=1

No

Yes

Not applicable (SEEKWORK≠4 and LOOKOJ≠1)

Looked for land, premises or equipment

SEEKWORK=4 or
LOOKOJ=1

No

Yes

Not applicable (SEEKWORK≠4 and LOOKOJ≠1)

26.4.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 114/75

Name

Column

Periodicity

Code

Description

Filter/Remarks

METHODI

111

QUARTERLY

Looked for permits, licences, financial resources

SEEKWORK=4 or
LOOKOJ=1

METHODJ

112

QUARTERLY

METHODK

113

QUARTERLY

METHODL

114

QUARTERLY

METHODM

115

QUARTERLY

WANTWORK

116

QUARTERLY

0

1

9

0

1

9

0

1

9

0

1

9

0

1

9

1

2

9

No

Yes

Not applicable (SEEKWORK≠4 and LOOKOJ≠1)

Awaiting the results of an application for a job

SEEKWORK=4 or
LOOKOJ=1

No

Yes

Not applicable (SEEKWORK≠4 and LOOKOJ≠1)

Waiting for a call from a public employment office

SEEKWORK=4 or
LOOKOJ=1

No

Yes

Not applicable (SEEKWORK≠4 and LOOKOJ≠1)

Awaiting the results of a competition for recruitment
to the public sector

SEEKWORK=4 or
LOOKOJ=1

No

Yes

Not applicable (SEEKWORK≠4 and LOOKOJ≠1)

Other method used

No

Yes

SEEKWORK=4 or
LOOKOJ=1

Not applicable (SEEKWORK≠4 and LOOKOJ≠1)

Willingness to work for person not seeking
employment

SEEKWORK=3

Person is not seeking employment:

— but would nevertheless like to have work

— and does not want to have work

Not applicable (SEEKWORK≠3)

AVAILBLE

117

QUARTERLY

Availability to start working within two weeks

blank

No answer

1

2

9

If work were found now:

Person could start to work immediately (within
2 weeks)

Person could not start to work immediately
(within 2 weeks)

Not applicable (SEEKWORK≠1, 4 and
WANTWORK≠1, blank and WISHMORE≠1)

SEEKWORK=1,4 or
WANTWORK=1, blank
or WISHMORE=1

L 114/76

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

26.4.2008

Name

Column

Periodicity

Code

Description

Filter/Remarks

AVAIREAS

118

YEARLY

Reasons for not being available to start working
within 2 weeks

AVAILBLE=2

Person could not start to work immediately
(within 2 weeks) because:

— he/she must complete education or training

— he/she must complete compulsory military

or community service

— he/she cannot

leave present employment

within two weeks due to period of notice

— of

personal

or

family

responsibilities

(including maternity)

— of own illness or incapacity

— of other reasons

Not applicable (AVAILBLE≠2)

1

2

3

4

5

6

9

blank

No answer

PRESEEK

119

YEARLY

Situation immediately before person started to seek
employment (or was waiting for new job to start)

SEEKWORK=1,2,4

1

2

3

4

5

9

Person was working (including apprentices,
trainees)

Person was in full-time education (excluding
apprentices, trainees)

Person was conscript on compulsory military or
community service

Person had domestic/family responsibilities

Other (e.g. retired)

Not applicable (SEEKWORK=3,9)

blank

No answer

NEEDCARE

120

YEARLY

Need for care facilities

FTPTREAS=3 or
SEEKREAS=3

Person is not searching for a job or is working
part time because:

suitable care services for children are not
available or affordable

suitable care services for ill, disabled, elderly are
not available or affordable

suitable care services for both children and ill,
disabled and elderly are not available or
affordable.

care facilities do not influence decision for
working part time or not searching for a job

Not applicable (FTPTREAS≠3 and
SEEKREAS≠3)

1

2

3

4

9

blank

No answer

26.4.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 114/77

Name

Column

Periodicity

Code

Description

Filter/Remarks

REGISTER

121

YEARLY

Registration at a public employment office

everybody aged 15 to
74 years

1

2

3

4

9

Person is registered at a public employment
office and receives benefit or assistance

Person is registered at a public employment
office but does not receive benefit or assistance

Person is not registered at a public employment
office but receives benefit or assistance

Person is not registered at a public employment
office and does not receive benefit or assistance

Not applicable (person aged less than 15 years
or older than 75)

blank

No answer

MAIN LABOUR STATUS

MAINSTAT (optional)

122

YEARLY

Main status

everybody aged 15
years or more

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Carries out a job or profession, including
unpaid work for a family business or holding,
including an apprenticeship or paid traineeship,
etc.

Unemployed

Pupil, student, further training, unpaid work
experience

In retirement or early retirement or has given
up business

Permanently disabled

In compulsory military service

Fulfilling domestic tasks

Other inactive person

Not applicable (child less than 15 years)

blank

No answer

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

EDUCSTAT

123

QUARTERLY

Student or apprentice in regular education during the
last four weeks

everybody aged 15
years or more

1

3

2

9

Has been a student or an apprentice

Person in regular education but on holiday

Has not been a student or apprentice

Not applicable (child less than 15 years)

blank

No answer

EDUCLEVL

124

QUARTERLY

Level of this education or training

EDUCSTAT=1 or 3

1

2

ISCED 1

ISCED 2

L 114/78

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

26.4.2008

Name

Column

Periodicity

Code

Description

Filter/Remarks

3

4

5

6

9

ISCED 3

ISCED 4

ISCED 5

ISCED 6

Not applicable (EDUCSTAT=2,9, blank)

blank

No answer

EDUCFILD (optional)

125/127

YEARLY

Field of this education or training

EDUCSTAT=1 or 3 and
EDUCLEVL=3 to 6

000

100

200

222

300

400

420

440

460

481

482

500

600

700

800

900

999

General programmes

Teacher training and education science

Humanities, languages and arts

Foreign languages

Social sciences, business and law

Science, mathematics and computing

Life science (including biology and environ-
mental science)

Physical science (including physics, chemistry
and earth science)

Mathematics and statistics

Computer science

Computer use

Engineering, manufacturing and construction

Agriculture and veterinary

Health and welfare

Services

Unknown

Not applicable (EDUCSTAT=2,9, blank or
EDUCLEVL≠(3 to 6))

COURATT

128

QUARTERLY

blank

No answer

Did you attend any courses, seminars, conferences or
receive private lessons or instruction outside the
regular education system (hereafter referred to as
taught-learning activities) within the last four weeks?

Everybody aged 15
years or more

1

2

9

Yes

No

Not applicable (child less than 15 years)

blank

No answer

26.4.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 114/79

Name

Column

Periodicity

Code

Description

Filter/Remarks

COURLEN

129/131

QUARTERLY

Number of hours spent on all taught-learning
activities within the last four weeks

COURATT=1

3 digits

Number of hours

999

Not applicable (COURATT=2,9, blank)

blank

No answer

COURPURP (optional)

132

YEARLY

Purpose of the most recent taught-learning activity

COURATT=1

1

2

9

Mostly job related (professional)

Mostly personal/social

Not applicable (COURATT=2,9, blank)

blank

No answer

COURFILD (optional)

133/135

YEARLY

Field of the most recent taught-learning activity

COURATT=1

000

100

200

222

300

400

420

440

460

481

482

500

600

700

800

900

999

General programmes

Teacher training and education science

Humanities, languages and arts

Foreign languages

Social sciences, business and law

Science, mathematics and computing

Life science (including biology and environ-
mental science)

Physical science (including physics, chemistry
and earth science)

Mathematics and statistics

Computer science

Computer use

Engineering, manufacturing and construction

Agriculture and veterinary

Health and welfare

Services

Unknown

Not applicable (COURATT=2,9, blank)

COURWORH (optional) 136

YEARLY

Did the most recent taught-learning activity take
place during paid working hours?

COURATT=1

blank

No answer

1

2

3

Only during paid working hours

Mostly during paid working hours

Mostly outside paid working hours

L 114/80

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

26.4.2008

Name

Column

Periodicity

Code

Description

Filter/Remarks

4

5

9

Only outside paid working hours

No job at that time

Not applicable (COURATT=2,9, blank)

blank

No answer

HATLEVEL

137/138

QUARTERLY

Highest level of education or training successfully
completed

Everybody aged 15
years or more

00

11

21

22

31

32

30

41

42

43

51

52

60

99

No formal education or below ISCED 1

ISCED 1

ISCED 2

ISCED 3c (shorter than two years)

ISCED 3c (two years and more)

ISCED 3 a, b

ISCED 3 (without distinction a, b or c possible,
2 y+)

ISCED 4a, b

ISCED 4c

ISCED 4 (without distinction a, b or c possible)

ISCED 5b

ISCED 5a

ISCED 6

Not applicable (child less than 15 years)

blank

No answer

HATFIELD

139/141

YEARLY

Field of highest level of education or training
successfully completed

HATLEVEL=22 to 60

000

100

200

222

300

400

420

440

460

481

482

General programmes (1)

Teacher training and education science (1)

Humanities, languages and arts (1)

Foreign languages

Social sciences, business and law (1)

Science, mathematics and computing (1)

Life science, including biology and environ-
mental science (1)

Physical science, including physics, chemistry
and earth science (1)

Mathematics and statistics (1)

Computer science

Computer use

26.4.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 114/81

Name

Column

Periodicity

Code

Description

Filter/Remarks

500

600

700

800

900

999

Engineering, manufacturing and construction (1)

Agriculture and veterinary (1)

Health and welfare (1)

Services (1)

Unknown

Not applicable (HATLEVEL=00, 11, 21, 99,
blank)

blank

No answer

HATYEAR

142/145

YEARLY

Year when highest level of education or training was
successfully completed

HATLEVEL=11-60

The 4 digits of year when highest level of
education or training was successfully
completed are entered

9999

Not applicable (HATLEVEL=00, 99, blank)

blank

No answer

SITUATION ONE YEAR BEFORE SURVEY

WSTAT1Y

146

YEARLY

Situation with regard to activity one year before
survey

everybody aged 15
years or more

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Carries out a job or profession, including
unpaid work for a family business or holding,
including an apprenticeship or paid traineeship,
etc.

Unemployed

Pupil, student, further training, unpaid work
experience

In retirement or early retirement or has given
up business

Permanently disabled

In compulsory military service

Fulfilling domestic tasks

Other inactive person

Not applicable (child less than 15 years)

blank

No answer

STAPRO1Y

147

YEARLY

Professional status one year before survey

WSTAT1Y=1

1

2

3

4

9

Self-employed with employees

Self-employed without employees

Employee

Family worker

Not applicable (WSTAT1Y≠1)

blank

No answer

L 114/82

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

26.4.2008

Name

Column

Periodicity

Code

Description

Filter/Remarks

NACE1Y2D

148/149

YEARLY

Economic activity of local unit in which person was
working one year before survey

WSTAT1Y=1

NACE Rev. 2

00

Not applicable (WSTAT1Y≠1)

blank

No answer

COUNTR1Y

150/151

YEARLY

Country of residence one year before survey

Everybody aged 1 year
or more

For coding, see ISO country classification

99

Not applicable (child less than one year old)

blank

No answer

REGION1Y

152/153

YEARLY

Region of residence one year before survey

Everybody aged 1 year
or more

NUTS 2

99

Not applicable (person who has changed
country of residence or child less than one year
old)

blank

No answer

INCOME

INCDECIL

154/155

YEARLY

Monthly (take-home) pay from main job

STAPRO=3

01-10

Deciles order

99

Not applicable (STAPRO≠3)

blank

No answer

TECHNICAL ITEMS RELATING TO THE
INTERVIEW

REFYEAR

156/159

QUARTERLY

Year of survey

4 digits of the year

REFWEEK

160/161

QUARTERLY

Reference week

everybody

everybody

Number of the week running from Monday to
Sunday

INTWEEK

162/163

QUARTERLY

Interview week

everybody

Number of the week running from Monday to
Sunday

COUNTRY

164/165

QUARTERLY

Country

everybody

For coding, see ISO country classification

REGION

166/167

QUARTERLY

Region of household

everybody

NUTS 2

DEGURBA

168

QUARTERLY

Degree of urbanisation

everybody

1

2

3

Densely populated area

Intermediate area

Thinly populated area

26.4.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 114/83

Name

Column

Periodicity

Code

Description

Filter/Remarks

HHNUM

169/174

QUARTERLY

Serial number of household

everybody

Serial numbers are allocated by the national
statistical institutes and remain the same for all
waves

Records relating to different members of the
same household carry the same serial number

HHTYPE

175

QUARTERLY

Type of household

everybody

HHINST

176

QUARTERLY

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

9

Person living in private household (or perma-
nently in a hotel) and surveyed in this
household

Person living in an institution and surveyed in
this institution

Person living in an institution but surveyed in
this private household

Person living in another private household on
the territory of the country but surveyed in this
household of origin

Type of institution

HHTYPE=2,3

Educational institution

Hospital

Other welfare institution

Religious institution (not already included in
1-3)

Workers' hostel, working quarters at building
sites, student hostel, university accommodation,
etc.

Military establishment

Other (e.g. prison)

Not applicable (HHTYPE=1,4)

COEFFY

177/182

YEARLY

Yearly weighting factor

everybody

blank

No answer

0000-
9999

Cols 177-180 contain whole numbers

00-99

Cols 181-182 contain decimal places

COEFFQ

183/188

QUARTERLY

Quarterly weighting factor

everybody

0000-
9999

Cols 183-186 contain whole numbers

00-99

Cols 187-188 contain decimal places

COEFFH

189/194

YEARLY

Yearly weighting factor of the sample for household
characteristics (in the case of a sample of individuals)

0000-
9999

Cols 189-192 contain whole numbers

L 114/84

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

26.4.2008

Name

Column

Periodicity

Code

Description

Filter/Remarks

INTWAVE

195

QUARTERLY

Sequence number of the survey wave

everybody

00-99

Cols 193-194 contain decimal places

INTQUEST

196

QUARTERLY

1-8

Sequence number of the wave

Questionnaire used

Only core variables

Whole questionnaire

1

2

everybody

(1) Or subdivisions of ISCED 1997 — field of education — coded on 3 digits.