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Labour Statistics Convention, 1985 (No. 160) - Mauritius (RATIFICATION: 1994)

Other comments on C160

Observation

Direct Request

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Application of the Convention. The Committee welcomes the comprehensive report provided by the Government, notably the detailed information transmitted with respect to the various indicators, statistics and related methodologies. The Committee further notes that the Government continues to regularly provide the statistics called for under the Convention to the ILO Department of Statistics (ILOSTAT) through the ILOSTAT annual questionnaire, with the most recent information referring to 2022.In addition, the Committee notes the information supplied with respect to the roles and functions of Statistics Mauritius, as well as the information provided in the various Annexes attached to the Government’s report, as well as the detailed methodological information provided in the Annexes for the application of the provisions of the Articles accepted by Mauritius (Articles 7–10 and 12–15 of Part II of the Convention).

Article 3 of the Convention. Designing and revising concepts, definitions and methodology, in cooperation with the social partners. In its previous observation, the Committee invited the Government to indicate the measures taken or envisaged to comply with its obligation to consult the social partners, in the event of designing or revising the concepts, definitions and methodology used in respect of the statistics required under the Convention. The Government indicates in its report that the social partners are informed in the event of major revisions in the concepts, definitions and methodology used in respect of labour statistics produced by Statistics Mauritius. The Committee recalls in this regard that Article 3 calls for consultation with the representative organizations of employers and workers with a view to taking into account their needs and ensuring their cooperation with regard to the statistics covered by the Convention. The Committee therefore requests that the Government provide further information on the application of Article 3 in practice.

Articles 7 and 8. Employment, unemployment and underemployment statistics. Statistics of the structure and distribution of the economically active population. The Committee notes that the Government continues to supply statistical data on the economically active population, employment and unemployment to ILOSTAT on a regular basis, for dissemination through its website. The latest available figures are from the Continuous Muti-Purpose Household Survey (CMHS) and refer to 2020. The Government notes that the data collection under the CMHS is carried out monthly, except in 2020 after the COVID-19 outbreak, when it was carried out only in May, June, July, September, October and December of 2020. The Government also notes that the face-to-face interviews of household members were replaced by telephone interviews as of May 2020s. The Government also reports on a series of rapid phone household surveys carried out from May to July 2020 (known as the Rapid Continuous Multi-Purpose Household Survey (RCMPHS)) to monitor the socio-economic effects of COVID-19 on the lives of Mauritian households. The RCMPHS questionnaire consists of 7 modules soliciting information concerning the economic activity of individuals aged 16 to 64 who are not in full-time education, access to basic goods and services, food insecurity, household income, shocks and coping strategies. The Government also provides information regarding the review of the CMHS design, which seeks to improve the quarterly labour force estimates and build the capacity of Statistics Mauritius staff to make further improvements as needed. The Committee notes with interest the information provided by the Government on the implementation the Resolution concerning statistics of work, employment and labour underutilization (Resolution I), adopted by the 19th ICLS (October 2013), as well as its indication that many of the indicators collected under the CMHS questionnaire are aligned with the Resolutions adopted by the ICLS at its 19th and 20th Sessions. With respect to the application of Article 8, the Committee notes that census data has been regularly supplied to ILOSTAT for dissemination. The last population census was carried out in 2011 and methodological information relating to the 2011 census was communicated to ILOSTAT. The Committee notes that the 19th Housing and Population Census scheduled for 2021 was postponed to 2022 and will use digital technology for data collection, using CSPro software as a data entry platform during interviews (with support from the US Census Bureau). The Government also notes that UNFPA and Kenya National Bureau of Statistics will provide technical support. The Committee requests the Government to continue to supply data and information on the methodology used in the application of these provisions of the Convention. The Government is also requested to provide updated information on any developments in relation to the implementation of the Resolution concerning statistics of work, employment and labour underutilization (Resolution I), adopted by the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians (October 2013).

Articles 9 and 10. Current statistics of average earnings and hours of work. Statistics of time rates of wages and normal hours of work. Statistics of wage structure and distribution. The Committee notes that data on average hours of work for 2020, derived from the CMPHS, has been transmitted to ILOSTAT through its annual questionnaire, for dissemination on its web page. Average monthly income by industrial sector and occupational groups derived from the CMPHS data has been published in the annual Economic and Social Indicator on Labour Force, Employment and Unemployment for 2020. Moreover, statistics on wage rate indices are compiled on a quarterly basis, with the most recent data relating to the first quarter of 2021. Statistics on average wage rates, average earnings and hours of work are published annually, with the latest data referring to 2019. The Committee requests that the Government continue to supply updated statistics collected in the application of Articles 9 and 10, as well as to provide updated information on any changes made to the application of these provisions.

Articles 14 and 15. Statistics of occupational injuries and diseases and of industrial disputes. The Committee notes that ILOSTAT continues to receive statistics on fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries via its annual questionnaire on labour statistics. The statistics submitted through these means continue to be derived from insurance records and the most recent statistics refer to 2021. The Committee notes the statistics communicated by the Government in relation to work accidents, compiled by the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Reform Institutions from 2014 to December 2018/2019. In addition, data on the number of notifiable occupational accidents reported to the Occupational Safety & Health Inspectorate (OSH) of the Ministry of Labour, Human Resource Development and Training for the period 2017 to April 2021 are also provided and are published on the Government’s website. Finally, the Government provides relevant available statistics on occupational and work-related diseases compiled by the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life for 2019 and published on the website of the Ministry of Health and Wellness. The Committee welcomes the information provided and requests that the Government continue to supply comprehensive, up-to-date statistics and methodological information in relation to Articles 14 and 15 of the Convention. The Committee further notes the Government’s indication that technical assistance from the ILO with respect to the application of Article 14 will be sought in due course. It also encourages the Government to continue to submit updated information on the number of strikes and lockouts, the number of days not worked due to strikes and lockouts and the number of workers involved in strikes and lockouts by economic activity prior to 2019.