CELEX: 51977PC0717
Language: en
Date: 1978-01-06
Title: Draft for a COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) relating to the organization of a survey of labour costs in industry, the wholesale and retail distribution, banking and insurance (submitted to the Council by the Commission)

ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES
DE LA COMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEE DES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (77) 717
Vol. 1977/0224
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 ---pagebreak---           COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                               COM ( 77 ) 717 final .
                                                               Brussels , 6 January 1978 .
                                           Draft for a
                                     COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC )
                   relating to the organization of . a survey of labour costs
              in industry , the wholesale and retail distribution , "banking and insurance
                            ( submitted to the Council by the Commission)
COS ( 77 ) 717 final .
 ---pagebreak---                                 Explanatory Memorandum
The Commission cannot carry out certain tasks assigned, to it "by the Treaty
 establishing the European Economic Community , in particular with respect to
the implementation of Articles 2 , 3 , 1 1 T » 118 , 120 and 122 , without acciess
to valid data , comparable for the different countries , on the cost of labour
and on the incomes of employees > in thfe Community.
That is why, since 1959 ,        pursuance of Coxmcil Regulations , a whole series
of specific Community surveys has been carried out in industry ( l ), in com­
merce , banking and insurance ( 2 ), and in road transport (3 ). These surveys
were carried out by the Statistical Office of the European Communities in
collaboration with the National Institutes of Statistics and the Ministries
of Labour of Member States . The results of these surveys were published in
the " Social Statistics " series issued by the Statistical Office of the Euro­
pean Communities (4); they were greatly appreciated by governments and by
economic and social bodies .
The activities of the Commission in the various sectors make it necessary
that the most recent possible figures on total labour costs should be avail­
able at all times .     In collaboration with the competent authorities in Mem­
ber States , the Statistical Office has , therefore ,, developed methods of up­
dating the results of surveys of labour costs . However , in view of the fact
that expenditure on wages and related costs is subject to substantial change ,
this technique of updating can provide valid results only for the first few
years following a survey ; thereafter , the survey must be repeated .
( 1 ) Regulation No 10 (OJ No 56 , 31.8.1960 , p . 1199 /60 ).
      Regulation No 14 (OJ No 55 » 16.8 . 19^1 , p . 1054/61 ).
      Regulation No 28 ( OJ No 41 ? 28.5-1962 , p . 1277 /62 ).
      Regulation No 151 ( OJ No 133 , 13.12.1962 , p . 2841 /62 ).
      Regulation 10L /$6/FEEC (OJ No 134 , 22.7.1966 , p . 2540/66).
      Regulation (EEC ) No 1899 /68 (OJ No L 289 , 29 . 1 1 . 1 968 , p . 4).
      Regulation (EEC ) No 2259/71 (OJ No L 238 , 23.10.1971 , p . 1 ).
      Regulation (EEC ) NO 328/75 (OJ No L 37 , 12.2.1975 , P - 1 ).
( 2 ) Regulation (EEC ) NO 2053 /69 (OJ No L 263 , 21.10.1969 , P - 8 ).
      Regulation (EEC ) No 3192/73 (OJ No L 326 , 27.11.1973 , p . 1J .
(3 ) Regulation No 100/66/EEC (OJ NO 134, 22.7 . 1966, P » 2538/66).
(4) No 3 /1961 , 3 /1962 , 1 /1963 , 2/1964 , 5/1964, 6/1965 , 5/1966, 4/1969 , 1 /1970 ,
      6/1970 , 3/1971 , 4/1972 , 4/1974, 6/1975 , 1977 .
 ---pagebreak---                                         - 2 -
It is in that connection that the Working Party on "Wage Statiatioe", com­
prising representatives of governments (Ministries of Labour and National
Institutes of Statistics ) and of employers and labour , came to the conclu­
sion that it would be necessary to repeat the surveys of labour costs at
three-yearly intervals ; this view was shared by the Commission and the
Council ; * thus the years 1 $66 , 1 9^9t 1972 and 1 975 have been selected so
far for industry .
In order to rationalize and further facilitate procedures , plans have been
made to incorporate into a single survey the investigations that had hitherto
b«en made separately, into industry on the one hand , and into commerce , bank­
ing and insurance on the other . This proposal was approved in principle by
the enlarged conference of the Directors-General of the National Institutes
of Statistics held on 8 , $ and 10 December 1976 , which also agreed that the
first "dual " survey of this kind could be carried out in 1979 on "the basis
of the accounts for the year 1978 .
So that the survey should not constitute too heavy a burden on the undertak– '
ings and on the budget of the European Communities and Member States , the
intention is not that it should involve exhaustive returns from all ■ under­
takings , but that it should be based on a representative sample .
The Working Party on "Wage Statistics", which met in Luxemburg on 4, 5 » 6
and 11 , 12 , 13 July 1 977 » reached agreement on the technical basis for the
survey (the basic questionnaire , the survey field , methods , transmitting of
results , etc .) which will ensure the comparability of the results and will
allow the maximum amount of information on the Community to be derived from
the survey .                                                                   -
As in the surveys of 1974 and 1975 > this survey will cover the establish­
ments or undertakings employing at least ten wage–earners . This will ensure
the comparability of the survey with those of previous years and with the
other wage statistics of the Community (harmonized statistics on earnings
and statistics on the structure and distribution of wages ) which cover the
same field .
                                              /
                                                      Λ             .  ■
 ---pagebreak---  The planned survey will provide detailed statistical information on the
 expenditure on wages and related costs borne by the employers , as well as
 on the incomes of employees in all branches of industry ( including the energy,
water and construction industries ), in commerce , banking and insurance ( 1 ).
 The results of this survey will , of course , be used as a new basis for the
tipdating which is carried o\vt regularly during intervening years .
Both government experts and the representatives of professional organiza­
tions of employers and workers have \irged that tho decision to undertake
this survey be taken as quickly as possible , so that the undertakings form­
ing part of the samples should be in a position at the beginning of 1978 to
toko the necessary measures enabling theia to complete the questionnaire .
With this in view , the Commission submits to the Council for its approval
the attached draft regulation .
In accordance with Article 8 of this Regulation , a flat-rate contribution
for each returning undertaking or establishment will be charged to the sum
r.llocated for the purpose in the budget of the European Communities .    On the
basis of experience gained in preceding surveys , the total cost of the sur­
vey envisaged in the draft regulation can be estimated at 1 500 000 units of
account ( 125 000 undertakings or establishments at 12 units of account per
questionnaire ) .
( 1 ) Classes and groups falling under Divisions 1 to 5 and Classes 61 , 64/65 ,
      81 and 82 of the Nomenclature of Economic Activities in the European
      Communities (UACE ) .
 ---pagebreak---                     REGULATION (EEC ) No          OP THE COUNCIL
                     of
 relating to the organization of a survey of labour costs in industry , the
wholesale and retail distribution , "banking and insurance
THE COUNCIL OP THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,
and in particular Article 213 thereof ;
Having regard to the draft Regulation submitted by the Commission ;
Whereas , in order to carry out the tasks assigned to it by the Treaty , in
particular those set out in Articles 2 , 3 , 117 , 1 T 8 , 120 and 122 thereof ,
the Commission must be kept informed of the position and trends in the. nine
Community countries , as regards labour costs and employee incomes ;
Whereas statistical information available in each Member State does not pro­
vide a valid basis for comparisons , in particular because of the differences
existing between the laws , regulations and administrative practices of the
Kember States ; and whereas surveys must therefore be carried out and the
results processed on the basis of uniform definitions and methods ;
Whereas the best method of assessing the level , composition and trends both
of labour costs and of employee incomes is to carry cut specific Community
surveys , as has been done since 1 959 , pursuant to Council Regulations No 10
( 1 ), No 14 ( 2), No 28 (3 ), No 151 (4), No 101 /66/3EC ( 5 ), (EEC ) No 1899/68
( 6 ), (EEC ) No 2259/^1 ( 7 ) and (EEC ) No 328/75 ( 8 ) , on the basis of account­
ing data for the years 1959 "to 1964 , 1966 , 19^9 » 1972 and 1975 in industry,
( 1 ) OJ No 56 , 31.8.1960 , p. 1199/60.
( 2 ) OJ No 55 , 16.8.1961 , p. 1054/61 .
(3 ) OJ No 41 , 28.5.1962 , p. 1277/62 .
(4 ) OJ No 133 , 13.12.1962 , p. 2841 /62 .
( 5 ) OJ No 134 , 22.7.1966 , p. 2540/66 .
( 6 ) OJ No L 289 , 29.11.1968 , p. 4 .
( 7 ) OJ No L 238 , 23.10.1971 , p. 1 .
(8) OJ No L 37 , 12.2.1975 , p. 1 .
 ---pagebreak---  17o 1OO/66/EE0 ( 1 ), on -the "basis of data for the yoar 1 967 in. road transport ,
 and (EEC ) No 2053 /69 ( 2) and (EEC ) No 3192/73 (3 ), and on the basis of account­
 ing data for the years 1970 and 1974 in commerce , tanking and insurance ;
 Whereas , since expenditure "by undertakings on wages , salaries and related
 costs is subject to substantial change , it is appropriate to oarry out a new
 survey based on accounting data for the year 1978 in order to bring up-to-
date the results of the previous surveys , based on accounting data for the
year 1975 in industry and the year 1974 in commerce , banking and insurance ;
Whereas , in order to rationalize            procedures and to lighten the burden on
undertakings and on the budget of the Eviropean Communities and the Member
States it is neoessary to obtain the required information by sampling , and
by means of a single survey of industry , commerce , banking and insurance ,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION :
                                          Article 1
Within the framework of its periodic surveys on labour costs and employee
earnings , the Commission shall undertake in 1979 * on the basis of accounting
data for the year 1978 , a survey of labour costs (manual and non-manual
workers ) and of employee incomes in industry,             wholesale and retail dis­
tribution , banking and insurance .
                                         Article 2
The survey shall cover undertakings or establishments employing at least ten
persons     of which the main activities fall withiin the scope of Divisions 1 ,
2 , 3 , 4 and 5 and Classes 61 , 64/65 , 81 and 82 of the Nomenclature of Eoonomic
Activities in the European Communities (NACE), with the exception of groups
651 , 652 and 811 and , for Ireland , of Class $0 * In banking 'and insurance
undertakings in Luxembourg, however , the' survey shall be conducted without
regard to a minimum number of employees .
The survey shall be carried out by . sampling .
( 1 ) OJ No 134 , 22.7.1966 , p. 2538/66 .
( 2 ) CJ No L 263 , 21 . 10 . 1969 , p. 8 .
(3 ) CJ No L 326 , 27=11.1973 , p. 1 .
 ---pagebreak---                                     Article 3
 Employers shall , in respect of their undertakings or establishments which
 are included, in the sample , supply the information needed to determine labour
 costs (manual and non-manual workers ) and employee incomes on the basis of
 the accounting data for the whole of the year 1978 , in the manner set out
 hereinafter .
                                    Article 4
 The stirvey shall cover :
a) costs of wages and salaries , including bonuses and allowances , and all
    incidental expenditure , in particular employers * contributions to social
    security and supplementary schemes , and other social payments , including
    the oost of vocational training of employees , and any taxes or subsidies
    directly related to labour costs ;
b ) the number of employees engaged in the establishments or undertakings ;
c ) the length of time worked by employees .
                                    Article 5
The information shall be collected by the statistical offices of the Member
States by means of a questionnaire drawn up by the Commission in cooperation
with these offices .
The Commission shall , in cooperation with these offices , determine the
detailed procedures for the conduct of the survey .    Further , it shall lay down
the same way the starting and closing dates of the survey and the time limit fo
replying to the questionnaires .
Persons required to supply information shall reply to the questionnaire
truthfully , completely and within the time limits set .
 ---pagebreak---                                     Article 6
The statistical offices of Keiiibex* States sh,all analyse tlie replies to th.e
questionnaires . They shall forward to the Commission the results of the
 survey, excluding individual items of information , in accordance with the
processing programme laid down "by the Commission; the results shall toe
"broken down by sectors of activity and , if so required , by region and size
 category of the establishment    or undertaking*
                                    Article 7
 Individual items of information supplied for purposes of the survey shall be
 used for statistical purposes only. It shall be prohibited to use the in­
 formation for other purposes , particularly for taxation purposes , or to com­
 municate it to third parties .
 Member States shall take appropriate measures to avoid any infringement of :
 a) the obligation to supply the information referred to in Article 3 , and
 b ) the obligation , under the first paragraph of this Article , to maintain
     confidentiality as regards the information obtained .
                                    Article 8
 For the conduct of the survey , Member States shall receive a flat-ra^e sum
 proportional to the number of establishments or undertakings surveyed. This
  amount shall be entered against appropriations provided for this purpose in
  the budget of the European Communities .
  This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in
  all Member States .
                                                               For the Council
   Done at           »
                                                               The President
 ---pagebreak---                                   Incidence     financière
                            eur le br.dget conun\in.i"i:*i.ire
       du projet de règlement • rel.-'.'cif à l' organisation d' un »; c.nqucte sur
       le coût de la main- d ; oeuvr.- dans l 'industrie , le commerce dé gros
            et do détail , 1er. "^ inque *: st. les entrer, ri s te d 'essurances
Conro il ent prévu à 1 V.rticle 0 à*-, co.c-t de règlement , les Jtats membres
recevront pour 1 1 exécution oK cette cnqufctc •            contribution forfaitaire
pt.i* eirtrcpricc ou établi us - sr^nt iivtc rrc».;-S .
Consptc tenu du norbre - à ' entreprise «s ou d l étaûlis&er.ont ô qu' il est prévu
d 1 investigrer (i 25 » 000 ) , le coCt do 1 ' e-nquf>to pe'.'t ?trc e:;tiii;é , pc;;.r les
nc".f Etais mcmY.rer:, ^ur 1k "b«;e             contribution d?.- 12 vr.itôc de compte
p;;r entreprise ov ôtabl i h* s cnc ni intorro^ô , à 1.^00.000 vnxtos do compte .
C og frais sont à imputer sur les o? -édita prévue à celte fin av. cudget dcc
Communautés eu.rop'-cnnefj (c.rt . 264 : T :tude& et enqvÇ-tcs statistiques ) et à
répartir sur de-us: exercice :; budgét-ir^s ( 197S3 '• 75G.QOC -. Alités do compte ,
et i960 : 75O.OOO unités de oorpt » ) »
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