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The Committee takes note of the Government’s report received on 28 July 2009, with the documents attached.

Article 9 of the Convention. The Committee notes that current statistics of average earnings and hours paid for (Article 9.1), average wage rates and normal hours of work (Article 9.2) by occupation, economic activity and sex, continue to be compiled from the Annual Survey of Wages, Salaries and Hours of Work, with reference to the month of October of each year. However, statistics of average weekly hours paid for and average monthly earnings of employees by economic activity and by sex were last transmitted in 2007 and that the latest data still refer to 2006. Most recent data concerning statistics of average wage rates, normal hours of work, earnings and hours actually worked, by occupation, are published each year in Statistics on occupational wages and hours of work and on food prices – October Inquiry results. The most recent data still refer to 2006. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide the statistics of hours of work, wage rates and earnings as soon as practicable. The Committee draws to the attention of the Government in this regard to the new international standards concerning the measurement of working time (see Resolution I, adopted by the 18th International Conference of Labour Statisticians, whose larger number of concepts and measures would seem to be better aligned to national practice, accessible via (http://ilo.org/global/What_we_do/Statistics/standards/resolutions/
lang--en/docName--WCMS_112455/index.htm).

Article 11. In its previous report, the Government indicated that the Statistical Service of Cyprus has conducted a labour cost survey with reference to 2000 within the context of harmonization with the European Union. This survey will be repeated every four years. Yet the ILO has not received any statistics derived from this survey. The Committee draws the Government’s attention to the fact that in accordance with Article 5 of the Convention “Each member which ratifies this Convention undertakes to communicate to the ILO, as soon as practicable, the published statistics compiled in pursuance with the Convention”. As a consequence, the Statistical Service of Cyprus is kindly requested to ensure that statistics of average labour cost, derived from the Labour Cost survey (data in manufacturing as a whole and by division for 2000, 2004 and 2008) are sent to the ILO as soon as practicable.

Article 13. According to the information available on the Cyprus statistical website (http://mof.gov.cy/), a new family budget survey was conducted in the period between November 2008 and September 2009. The main objective of the survey was to collect information on the consumption expenditure of households. The main uses of the survey are: (i) revision of the weights of the consumer price index; (ii) compilation of socio-economic indices; and (iii) analyzing the household income and expenditure pattern by household category, as well as the structure of private final consumption expenditure. The survey is conducted on a sample basis and covered 4,200 households, both from urban and rural areas. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide the ILO with the results of the 2008–09 Survey.

Article 14. In reply to the Direct Request 2005, the report notes with regard to statistics on occupational injuries that, according to regulations on safety and health at work introduced in 2007, all commuting and work related accidents which occur to employed and self-employed persons must be reported to the Department of Labour Inspection if they lead to an absence from work for more than three calendar days. The report further notes that accidents leading to an absence from work for a period of one to four days are not covered by these regulations, are not reportable and that, therefore, no statistics are kept for them.

This reporting process allows reporting according to the framework for European Statistics on Accidents at Work (ESAW) but means that the statistics do not comply fully with the resolution concerning statistics of occupational injuries (resulting from occupational accidents) adopted by the Sixteenth International Conference of Labour Statisticians (1998). Data up to 2008 have been transmitted to the ILO for publication in the Yearbook of Labour Statistics, but it would appear that statistics from 2002 onwards do not include occupational injuries resulting in absences from work from one to four days.

The ILO is aware that an ad hoc module of questions on Health and Safety at Work has been included periodically in the Labour Force Survey (LFS) conducted by all EU member states, as a complementary data source to European Statistics on Accidents at Work (ESAW), most recently in 2007. The results of this survey allow the production of statistics, based on the self perception of workers, on all occupational injuries resulting in absence from work of more than one day. These statistics can provide a basis to assess the extent to which reportable accidents are not reported to the Department of Labour Inspection (DLI). The Committee notes however that no information is provided in the Government’s report about statistics from this data source.

Also in reply to the Direct Request 2005, the Government indicates that a further set of regulations on safety and health at work, introduced in 2007, require mandatory notification of all suspected cases of occupational diseases. The report summarizes the procedures to be adopted according to these regulations. According to the Government, 16 new cases of occupational disease were registered in 2007, and statistics are reported within the framework of the European Occupational Disease Statistics (EODS). The report summarizes the involvement of organizations of workers and employers, through membership of the Pancyprian Safety and Health Council, in advising the Government on matters of occupational safety and health, and through the Statistical Council, in advising on the activities of the statistical service. In addition, the Government annexed to its report a range of detailed statistics. The Committee notes with interest the progress made in improving the reporting of statistics on occupational injuries and diseases, in particular the introduction of regulations requiring mandatory reporting of occupational injuries and diseases for all workers. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would provide information about any plans for the compilation of statistics for cases with between one and four days of absence from work, as well as statistics which might provide a basis to assess the extent to which occupational injuries are unreported.

Article 15. The Committee notes with concern the indication by the Government that no progress was achieved regarding the establishment of the planned, fully computerized information management system including the industrial disputes database for reasons of new priorities and the requirement to divert resources to design and develop data collection procedures regarding employee complaints and labour inspection statistics. It observes that the most recent data concerning statistics on industrial disputes relate to 2006. Despite its expectations of computerization, the Government explains that the Department of Labour Relations was required to promote other priorities, including the opening of new District Labour Offices in all major towns. Taking due note of the Government’s hope that this would help enhance collection of statistics of labour disputes in future, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would keep the ILO informed of any progress in this regard.

The Committee also requests the Government to publish and communicate to the ILO, in accordance with Articles 5 and 6, updated methodological information on the statistics of industrial disputes.

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The Committee notes the Government’s report. It notes with interest that the information provided in response to its previous request indicates that progress has been made in applying the Convention, owing in particular to the alignment of the definitions and methodologies with the relevant European Union regulations. The Committee would be grateful if in its next report the Government would provide additional information on the following points.

1. Consultation with organizations of employers and workers. Article 3 of the Convention. Please indicate the manner in which the organizations of employers and workers are consulted with regard to the methodology used in the collection, compilation and publication of the various statistics required under the Convention.

2. Occupational injuries and diseases. Article 14. Please provide information on the compilation of statistics concerning cases of absences from work for a period of one to four days that are not covered by the statistics provided to the International Labour Office. Please continue to provide information on the progress made in establishing a data collection and analysis mechanism for occupational diseases. Please indicate the progress made regarding a new regulation aimed at extending the obligation to notify occupational injuries and diseases to self-employed workers.

3. Industrial disputes. Article 15. Please describe any progress made by the industrial relations service in establishing an information management system comprising a database on industrial disputes.

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The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee notes the Government’s report, and in particular, the information concerning the application of Article 8 of the Convention. It asks the Government to provide further information on the following points:

Article 7. The Committee notes that according to the report, as from 1999, Cyprus has begun to carry out an annual labour force survey covering approximately 3,500 households. It further notes that the ILO Bureau of Statistics has also received the results of this first survey in the questionnaires for the 2000 edition of ILO Yearbook of Labour Statistics. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the international standards taken into account when designing the concepts and methodology for the collection and publication of the statistics in this survey (Article 2), on consultation with employers’ and workers’ representative organizations (Article 3), and information on the methods used to compile these statistics (Article 6). It also asks the Government to continue to communicate results of the survey, in accordance with Article 5.

Articles 9 to 11. The Committee notes that the Government intends to conduct a labour cost survey with reference to the year 2000 and a structure of earnings survey with reference to the year 2002, within the context of harmonization with the European Union. It asks the Government to keep the ILO informed of future developments in these two surveys.

Article 14. The Committee notes that methodological information relating to statistics on compensated occupational injuries and diseases has been supplied to the ILO. It also notes that the Factory Inspectorate intends to revise the methodology it uses to compile statistics on reported injuries and diseases. The Committee asks that it be kept informed of any progress in this connection.

The Committee notes the recommendation of the ILO advisory mission in 1995, that a single form be used for the purposes both of submitting claims for compensation of occupational injuries and diseases and of reporting occupational injuries and diseases to the Factory Inspectorate, which would lead to a better level of reporting of occupational injuries and diseases. The Committee asks the Government to keep the ILO informed of future developments in this regard.

Regarding the coverage of the statistics, the Committee asks the Government to provide information on any steps it proposes to take to collect, compile and publish statistics of occupational injuries and diseases relating to the self-employed.

Article 15. The Committee notes that more detailed methodological information about the statistics is expected to be published along with the statistics. It asks that the published information be communicated to the ILO in accordance with Article 6.

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The Committee notes the Government’s report, and in particular, the information concerning the application of Article 8 of the Convention. It asks the Government to provide further information on the following points:

Article 7.  The Committee notes that according to the report, as from 1999, Cyprus has begun to carry out an annual labour force survey covering approximately 3,500 households. It further notes that the ILO Bureau of Statistics has also received the results of this first survey in the questionnaires for the 2000 edition of ILO Yearbook of Labour Statistics. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the international standards taken into account when designing the concepts and methodology for the collection and publication of the statistics in this survey (Article 2), on consultation with employers’ and workers’ representative organizations (Article 3), and information on the methods used to compile these statistics (Article 6). It also asks the Government to continue to communicate results of the survey, in accordance with Article 5.

Articles 9 to 11.  The Committee notes that the Government intends to conduct a labour cost survey with reference to the year 2000 and a structure of earnings survey with reference to the year 2002, within the context of harmonization with the European Union. It asks the Government to keep the ILO informed of future developments in these two surveys.

Article 14.  The Committee notes that methodological information relating to statistics on compensated occupational injuries and diseases has been supplied to the ILO. It also notes that the Factory Inspectorate intends to revise the methodology it uses to compile statistics on reported injuries and diseases. The Committee asks that it be kept informed of any progress in this connection.

The Committee notes the recommendation of the ILO advisory mission in 1995, that a single form be used for the purposes both of submitting claims for compensation of occupational injuries and diseases and of reporting occupational injuries and diseases to the Factory Inspectorate, which would lead to a better level of reporting of occupational injuries and diseases. The Committee asks the Government to keep the ILO informed of future developments in this regard.

Regarding the coverage of the statistics, the Committee asks the Government to provide information on any steps it proposes to take to collect, compile and publish statistics of occupational injuries and diseases relating to the self-employed.

Article 15.  The Committee notes that more detailed methodological information about the statistics is expected to be published along with the statistics. It asks that the published information be communicated to the ILO in accordance with Article 6.

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The Committee notes that the Government's report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the following points raised in its previous direct request:

Article 8. The Committee notes that the results of the 1992 Population Census do not appear to have been published. It requests the Government to communicate to the ILO the published statistics as soon as possible, as well as the reference information on their publication (in accordance with Article 5) and also, as regards the methodological information, to communicate it to the ILO and to publish it (in accordance with Article 6).

Articles 9 to 11. The Committee notes that the Government intends to review the entire system of labour statistics and requests it to provide information on any development in this regard.

Article 14. (i) The Committee requests the Government to provide any information on the collection and compilation of statistics of occupational diseases (Article 14(2)). (ii) The Committee again requests the Government to communicate to the ILO detailed descriptions of the sources, concepts, definitions and methodology used both in collecting and in compiling statistics of occupational injuries and, to the extent possible, occupational diseases (in accordance with Article 6). Please also indicate the title and reference number of the publication containing such methodological information.

Article 15. The Committee asks the Government to indicate whether the methodological information on the statistics covered by this Article has been published by the competent national authority in accordance with Article 6(c).

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The Committee has taken note of the Government's third report, and in particular the information concerning Articles 2 and 3 of the Convention in reply to the previous comments. It requests the Government to supply further information on the following points.

Article 8. The Committee notes that the results of the 1992 Population Census do not appear to have been published. It requests the Government to communicate to the ILO the published statistics as soon as possible, as well as the reference information on their publication (in accordance with Article 5) and also, as regards the methodological information, to communicate it to the ILO and to publish it (in accordance with Article 6).

Articles 9 to 11. The Committee notes that the Government intends to review the entire system of labour statistics and requests it to provide information on any development in this regard.

Article 14. (i) The Committee requests the Government to provide any information on the collection and compilation of statistics of occupational diseases (Article 14(2)). (ii) The Committee again requests the Government to communicate to the ILO detailed descriptions of the sources, concepts, definitions and methodology used both in collecting and in compiling statistics of occupational injuries and, to the extent possible, occupational diseases (in accordance with Article 6). Please also indicate the title and reference number of the publication containing such methodological information.

Article 15. The Committee asks the Government to indicate whether the methodological information on the statistics covered by this Article has been published by the competent national authority in accordance with Article 6(c).

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The Committee has taken note of the Government's second report, and in particular the information concerning Articles 7, 8, 11 and 14 of the Convention in reply to the previous comments. It requests the Government to supply further information on the following points.

Article 2. The Committee again requests the Government to indicate the standards and guidelines established under the auspices of the ILO (for example, resolutions adopted by the International Conference of Labour Statisticians) that have been taken into consideration in designing or revising the concepts, definitions and methodology used concerning the statistics covered by Articles 7, 14 and 15.

Article 3. The Committee notes the Government's indication concerning the consultation that took place prior to the ratification of the Convention. It hopes that the Government will provide in its future reports, when the concepts, definitions and methodology used concerning the statistics covered by the Convention are revised, information on the consultation with the employers' and workers' organizations in accordance with this Article of the Convention.

Article 6. The Committee requests the Government to communicate to the ILO a methodological description concerning statistics of occupational injuries and occupational diseases (Article 14) and statistics of industrial disputes (Article 15) and to indicate the title and reference number of the principal publication which contains such descriptions.

Article 10. The Committee requests the Government to indicate whether it intends to compile and publish more detailed data on wage structure (for example, on the composition of earnings: by basic pay, premium pay, remuneration for time not worked, etc.)

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The Committee notes the information supplied by the Government with its first report. The Committee asks the Government to provide additional information on the following points.

Article 2 of the Convention. The Committee notes that, according to the Government, the standards and guidelines established under the auspices of the ILO have been followed. The Committee asks the Government to state the standards and guidelines followed for all the statistics referred to in each Article of Part II of the Convention.

Article 3. The Committee asks the Government to indicate the manner in which the organisations of employers and workers were consulted in designing or revising the concepts, definitions and methodology used for the purposes of giving effect to these provisions of the Convention.

Article 6. The Committee asks the Government to indicate whether the methodology used in collecting and compiling statistics in pursuance of this Convention has been established and published by the country.

Article 7. Please indicate the sources of information for statistics of the active population; to what extent statistics on employment and unemployment can be used together; and to what extent statistics on employment and unemployment are representative of the whole of the active population, stating the frequency of surveys on employment statistics (e.g. monthly or quarterly). Please indicate also whether statistics are compiled on visible underemployment.

Article 8. The Committee asks the Government to indicate the title and reference number of the main publication, in accordance with Article 5 and the report form, containing the information used as a basis, inter alia, to obtain the statistics referred to in this Article.

Article 10. Please indicate whether statistics are compiled on wage structure and distribution, and for which branches of economic activity.

Article 11. The Committee asks the Government to indicate, in accordance with the provisions of Article 5, the source of statistics on labour cost. It also asks the Government to indicate whether these statistics are consistent with data on employment and hours of work, and the title and reference number of the main publication containing the statistics.

Article 14, paragraph 1. Please indicate the coverage of the statistics referred to in this Article, particularly as regards the number of workers covered.

Article 14, paragraph 2. Please indicate, in accordance with the provisions of Article 5, the source of statistics of occupational diseases, the title and reference of the publication where these statistics are published and the frequency of their compilation.

Article 17. The Committee notes the Government's statement in its first report that the coverage of the statistics referred to in each Article of Part II of the Convention is confined only to the government controlled area of the country.