CELEX: 51981PC0035
Language: en
Date: 1981-02-02
Title: Draft COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) relating to the organization of a survey of labour costs in industry, 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 (81) 35
Vol. 1981/0008
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 ---pagebreak--- COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                              COM(81 ) 35 final
                                              Brussels . 2 February 1981
                               Draft
                         COUNCIL REGULATION ( EEC )
             relating to the organization of a survey of labour costs
             in industry / wholesale and retail distribution ,, banking
                            and insurance
                ( submitted to the Council by the Commission )
 C0M(81 ) 35 final
 ---pagebreak---                                Explanatory Mémorandum
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 , 117 , 118 , 120 and 122 , without
access to valid data , comparable for the different countries , on the cost
of labour and on the incomes of employees in the Community .
That is why, since 1959 » in pursuance of Council Regulations , a whole
series of specific Community surveys has been carried out in industry ( l ),
in commerce , banking and insurance ( 2 ), and in road transport ( 3 ). These
surveys were carried out by the Statistical Office of the European Commu­
nities 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 European 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
available at all times . In collaboration with the competent authorities
in Member States , the Statistical Office has , therefore , developed methods
of updating the results of surveys of labour costs . However , in view of
the fact that expenditure on wages and related costs is subject to sub­
stantial 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 ( CJ fto 56 » 31*8*1960 f P « 1199/ oO ).
       Regulation No 14 (OJ Ko 55 » lo»b# lS'o "1.» p * 10^.-: - 61 )*
       Regulation No 28 ( OJ Le 41 » 28 . 5*1962 , p . 12 / //: 2 ).
       Regulation No 151 ( OJ No 133 » 13° -i-2 » lS-^2 , p « 284i/o2 ^»
       Regulation lOl/oo/SEC ( °J No 134 » 22.7.1 966 , p . V : G          . ; ■>
       Regulation fìiHiìC ) No 1899/68 ^ OJ No L 239 » 29 » 11 . 19^8 ?           4 ^-
       Regulation (SEC ) No 2259/ <1 v&J        k 238, 2:>. 10 , ±9 1 1 , p . 1 / »
       Regulation (ESC ) No 320 / 75 ( oJ      ^ 37 ? 12.2.19 . 5 » P
       Regulation ( EEC ) No 494/ 7'*' ( OJ No L 60 , 10.3oi>''o o , x ;.
 ( 2 ) Regulation  (EEC ) No 2G5' /o9 (OJ No L 2o3 » 21.10 . _ yn9 , Po 8 ).
       Regulation  (EEC ) No 319?/ .'3 (OJ      L 3-'o , 27«1 J-» 1;' f3 » P • l )«
       Regulation  (SEC ) No ^ 94/ 78 ( OT No L 06 » 10 . 3 « J-9 1° • P -)•
 ( 3 ) Regulation  No 100/6ó/E¿C (•.' ' o ' . 22o / .196t ¿ • 2                  >6 ,
 (4 ) No 3/1961 ,  3/1962 , 1/1963 , 2/1964 r              <719?5 , 5/ li' -6 ,
       1/1970 , 6/1970 , 3/1971 » 4/1972 , 4/1974 í 6/1975 » 1977 , 1979.
 ---pagebreak---                                                               *
It is in that connection that the working Party on "Wage Statistics ",
comprising representatives of governments (Ministries of Labour and
National Institutes of Statistics ) and of employers and labour , came
to the conclusion 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 th-j years 1966 , 1969 * 1972 , 1975
and 1978 have been selected so far .
In order to rationalize and further facilitate procedures , it has been
decided to incorporate , from 1978 on , into a single survey the investi­
gations that had hitherto been made separately , into industry on the
                                                            '   . χ
one hand , and into commerce , banking and insurance on the other . This
proposal was approved in principle by the conference of the Directors-
General of the National Institutes of Statistics held ip. 1976 1 which
also agreed on 6 , 7 a*"! 8 May I98O that the first combined survey of
this kind relating to 1978 should be repeated in 1982 on the basis
of the accounts for the year 1981 .                       *
So that the survey should not constitute too heavy a burden on the tinder-
takings and on the budget of the European Communities and Member States ,
the intention is not that it should involve exhaustive returns from all
undertakings , but that it should be based on a representative sample .
                           t
The Working Party on " Wage Statistics ", which met in Luxembourg on
19 and 20 March 1980 , reached agreement on the technical basis for the
survey (the basic questionnaire , the survey field , methods , transmitting
of results j 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 1974j 1975      1978 , this survey will cover the
establishments or undertakings employing at least ten wage-earners .
This wi "1 ! 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 .
 ---pagebreak--- The planned survey will provide detailed statistical information on the
expenditure on wagee and related coats 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 ( l ). The results of this survey will , of course , be used
as a new basis for the updating which is carried out regularly during
intervening years .
Both government experts and the representatives of professional organiza^-
tions of employers and workers have urged that the decision to undertake
this survey Tpe taken as quickly as possible , so that the undertakings
forming part , of the samples should be in a position at the beginning
of 1981 to take the necessary measures enabling them to complete the
questionnaire .
With this in view, the Commission submits to the Council for its approval
the attached, draft regulation and financial reoord .
 ( 1 ) Classes and groups falling under Divisions 1 to 5 and Classes 61 ,
       64/65 , 81 and 82 of the 2Ju.- snciature of Economic Activities in
       the Eurooean Communities (HACE ).
 ---pagebreak---                             COUNCIL POPULATION ( SEC ) NO
relating to the ^ organization of a survey of labour oosts in industry,
wholesale and retail distribution , banking and insurance
THE COUNCIL 0? THE EUROPEAN COKKUNITP 3 ,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Eoonomic 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 but in Articles 2 , 3 , 117 , 118 , 120 and 122
thereof , the Commission must be kept informed of the position and trends
in the             Community countries     as regards labour costs and employees 1
incomes :                                        "
          \
Whereas statistical information available in each Member State does not
provide a valid basis for comparisons , in particular because of the
differences existing beiween the laws , regulations and administrative
practices of the Member 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 employees' incomes is to carry out specific
Community surveys , as has been done since 1959 » pursuant to Council
Regulations No 10 ( l ), No 14 ( 2 ), No 28 (3 ), No 151 (4 ), No lOl/66/EEC (5 ),
(ESC ) No 1899/68 (6 ), (23C ) No 2259/71 ( 7),(23C ) No 328/75 (8) and
(EEC ) No 494/78 ( 9 ) on the basis of accounting data for                  . 1959
to 1964 , i960 , 1969 , 1972 , 1975 and I978 in industry, No IOO/66/SEC ( 10)
( 1 ) 0J Mo 56 , 31.0 . 196C , p. 1199/60.
( 2 ) 0J ITo 55 , 16.8.1961 , p . IO54/6I .
( 3 ) 0J Ho 41 , 20.5.1962 , po 1277/62 .
(4 ) ' 0J No 133 , 13.12.1962 , p. 2841/62 .
(3)    GJ   Ko    134 , 22.7.1966 , p. 254O/66 .
(6 )   0J   Ko    L 289 , 29.11-1968 , p. 4 .
(7)    CJ   Ho    L 238 , -23.lC.i97i , P. 1 .
(8)    CJ   l' Tc L 37 , 12.2.1975 » Po 1 . .
(9 ) OJ Mo L 68, 10.3 . 1978 , p.1 .
(10) 0J No I :-, 22.7.1966, p „ 2538 / 66 .
 ---pagebreak---   on the basis of data for                                                 1967 in road transport , and (EEC )
  No 2053/69 ( 1 ), (ESC ) N o 3192/73 ( 2 ) and (EEC) No 494/78 ( 3) on the
  basis of accounting data for                                                           1970 » 1974 and 1978 in distri­
  bution , banking and insurance .
  Whereas , since expenditure by undertakings on wages , salaries and related
  costs is subject to substantial change , it is appropriate to carry out
  a new survey based, on accounting data for , ■ .                                                                   1981 in order to bring
 up to date the results of the previous surveys , based on accounting data
  for                    1978 in industry , distribution , banking and insurance ;
  VJhereas , in view,                         the scope of the survey , and: in order to I ightenPt"Ke burden
 undertaking? and--on the budgets., of the European Communities and of 'the
 $emh$r Stately i^ris^ necessary.; to , obtain the;;required information by
- sampling , .v ..                                  .•                     r v :.; • . '--.vr ~ ■
  HAS ADOPTED ^I^iffiGUMTiON.f ?.                                              ^
X ". I   w  Zv .. C* V Q y *                                                              w
                                 #• .     . .                        r J        ,_ T-v »    ' I '^(».<»•.•►»••»■5 ..
r.« - u            ■. v-j.            . - .yt-;. -           k'"~ . . Article 1
              ..      •• *                               ... *            ..P
  Within the -frame-work. o'£ 'i:ts * periodic surveys on labour costs and.
                                                       •   •    ^4              •
                                                                                                                                           ; ; .
                                                         _                 » '  A
  employees' iii'Cflpesjf Jfop Copnii^siOn"s|iall undertake in 1982 , on the • '
  basis of aec*unt4.ng "datg,                                                           1981 , a survey of labour                             * \
  costs (inanuaV a^^^^-Pa-nuai- 'fyqrkerijp and of employees' incomes _ " • . ■ . * -
'in industry,, wholesale' 'and retail attribution , .- banking and insurance*.
                   * *•     : ----- -                                                                                   ~        -   .   •
                                                                                                                                                  • ♦
                                                                                                                                                       -
                                    •            .. •<            . ••              ■                                              * • «L • •   '    •
                           .   •        m- .. ..                 w           . *•
                                n.V                • - .7 s
   ( 1 ) OJ No L 263 , 21.-10 . 1969 ,                                 '& • .7
   ( 2 ) OJ No L 326 , ;27-.11.1973, P - !• «
  ( 3 ) OJ No L 68 , 10.3.1978 , p. 1 .
 ---pagebreak---                                     .article 2
The survey shall cover under~talcings 3 ncl establishment employing , at least
10. persons who carry on activities defined in Divisions 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 and 5
and Classes 61 , 64/65 i 81 and. 82 of the Nomenclature of Economic Activi­
ties in the European Communities (NAC3), with the exception of groups 651 ,
652 and 811 and , for Ireland , in Clas-a 50 , In hanking and insurance in
Luxembourg , however , the survey shall "be conducted without regard to a
minimum number of employees .
The survey shall he carried out by sampling.
                                     Article 3
Employers shall , in respect of their undertakings and establishments which
are included in the ^sample , provide the information needed to determine
labour costs (manual and non-manual workers ) and employees' incomes on
the basis of the accounting data for the whole of .            1981 , in the
manner set out hereinafter .
                                     Article 4
The survey .shall covers
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 cost of vocational training of employees ,
    and any taxes or subsidies directly related to labour costs ;
b ) the number of employees engaged in the undertakings or establishments j
c ) the number of hours worked.
                                     Article 5
The inform -it ion shall "be collected by the statistical offices of the
Member States by meana of questionnaires , drawn up by the Commission
in cooperation with, those offices .
 ---pagebreak---   The Commission shall , in cooperation with those offices , determine the
   technical procedures relating to the survey . Further / it shall
   lay down in the same way the starting and closing dates of the survey
  and the time limit for replying to the questionnaires .
  Persons required to supply information shall reply to the questionnaire
  truthfully, completely and within the time limits set .
                                                                     Article 6
                        vr.                   ■ 1      -,             :    •.      . ;       •• ' • '
  The statistical offices of the Member States shall analyse the replies
  to the questionnaires-.- They f shall forward "to 'the Commission the results
  of. -the , surveyy-'exbluding"riridividual items- of informationj iri aooordance
- with the procassiiig'pregr'ajfine -iaind *do\fef by:;tB.e Commission^ the results
                                                                                                                          . *. V '•
  shall be broken down by sectors of activity and, if                                                             required , by
                                                                                                                     %
                                                                                                            •1  •  •
  region and size category of the undertakings or establishments .                                           *       •
                  .w  *         t ••• »*. <       1 c                                                        2
                                                                     Article 7 •                              ■       Î •      . :
                                                               £ riicliv 1                .                 I _i • ,
  Individual items of information supplied for purposes of the Purvey -
  shall be used for .atatistxca^ purpa?.©^ only. It shall..'be prohibited
                                 - ■ •                X'                             -                              ,
  to use such information fa-c_. other pm-pQ^eSj - pajrfcicularly 'for taxation
                        *1 •                                                    ,                      ' .                      .. .
 •purposes , or to. communicate it to th4rd parties .
                                                                        N                               '                   .
  Member States shall- fake appro'pri^ta"' ine&sureS : against; any infringement
                 ,? J         -             - Jt.     O ».• » i «. O. * . ¿ »• C - a. » • O»: »      w
                                                                                                            • /                   •
  a) . the obligation to supply the information . referred to in Article: 3 ,
       and                  •                                                                                          •
  b ) the- obligation, under the first paragraph, to , maintain confidentia­
       lity as regards the information obtained.                                                          '           "-
                                                                                                                       »           •
                                                                     Article 8
  For the conduct of the surveyf Member States shall receive a flat–rate
- *suja propoi"fr3rwgl-**'bo
                        >*•      '•
                                          "the number£ of undertakings or establishments                    *
   purveyed# This lajTioiinf gh'all "be entered against appropriations ^ provided *
   for this purpose in the budget of the European Communities .
 ---pagebreak---                                - 5 -
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly
applicable in all Member States .
                                                  I         ν
Done at Brussels ,                          For the Council
                                            The President
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                      PIIIANGIAL RECORD
      1.            Relevant budget heading code : art . 264
      2.          - Title of budget heading                                               Draft Council Regulation (EEC ) relating to
                    the organisation of a survey of labour costs in industry , wholesale
                    and' retail distribution , banking and insurance in I98I
      3.            Legal basis : Council Regulation (EEC )
      4 ." 6 :^ &b^ecii^re aftd cjustification of "the pro                                                         i To dispose of vaiMd and
        j .10 compax^ble                                                       on labour costs in th§ ^mb§Er countries of the . : .:
                    Community. The last survey in this field, has been carried out in
 *            'e -1379                             ther %asis of the accounts for1"                                    annual updating ,;
 Lti', th£ysJe-5c^s*'r\Sr estimates based on this g^v^§rrn^pplied by the Member
                    States has teen set up ; however , this system can provide reliable
       -■* - loresul4g- only^for the first few years f^14 owing a survey year,
 o- iOj -                                           it 2$$!* necessary to carry outg e^peg^fgirvey. The data are
                    to be collected by the statistical services of Member States ,
                    covering undertakings or establishments employing at least 10
                    persons .                                        *                    ,
  ■                -Financial- implications of the project1 "
'"$^0 -;fn ■respect tff^expend-iture : As- stated'- iA"^aftfile 8 of the draft
  »'          )3
         . ,. i3                  , i ,;; ; ;,iu t i
                    -> ^ - • i j >!* .. | •./ ; i /îvi W I                                     regulationj^egker States- will receive
                                           •'                                .                 a lump sum for carrying out the survey
  . La
                               c:.' tc- c or.j.v,
                               ."V·
                               V- ..
                                         τ
                                         <t •. '
                                                  **.    *"* ο *        ν
                                                        <„• V.' I . 1- «. »
                                                                                            '• in respetffc3-$£ - each undertaking or
                              • .                                         ■  .                 establishment surveyed . These costs
                    Ctc Lc-s.
                    κ/ ν        ■-            ·.; , ,..1   . -ί 1 '                            -will be cftarg§'3:i against the appro-*
    -„ .                    -                                               !     -            priations provided for this purpose
                                                                  ■         .                   in the budget of the European
   *        -           ν ·
                     V-'»-' - – t
                                     _"•  V J.
                                                 *
                                                           -
                                                                 ..
                                                                 l."
                                                                                , "             .Communities^^aytiele 264 "Statistical
   ' ""                     '■""'"s      ♦7
                                                                            "                    surveys and studies ) and will be
          -ri-. -.                       J.                                 -                    allocated to two budgetary periods :
                                                      ■                     *     "              1982 = 750.000 ECU and 1983 =
    <                               v- - ~              . 5                                      750.000 ÉGU.:"0     '
      5.1 ' " MetKod'"of calculation s                                                           It is proposed to calculate the flat
                    –––––––––––                                                                rate contribution to Member States on
                                   • '                                                           the basis of an amount of 12 ECU per
                                                                                               unit surveyed . Taking account of the
                                                                                               number of.. holdings to be covered
                                                                                                 - 125.000), the cost of the survey
                                                                                                 for the ten Member States would amount
                                                                                                 to 1.500.000 SOU .