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Convention concerning Statistics of Wages and Hours of Work, 1938 (No. 63) - South Africa (RATIFICATION: 1939)

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The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that the next report will contain full information on the matters raised in its previous comments.

Repetition
Part I of the Convention. Statistics relating to wages and hours of work. In reply to the previous comments, the Government provides in its report information on the definitions used for the measurement of the main concepts related to statistics on hours of work and earnings. The Committee notes from the report and from the information available to the ILO Department of Statistics that the main sources of statistics on wages and hours of work are the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) and the Quarterly Employment Statistics Survey (QES), both of which are collected by Statistics South Africa. It also notes that the QLFS collects data from households on usual and actual hours of work for all industries, formal and informal, including agriculture and private households for a reference week. Statistical and methodological information derived from these surveys is available through the Statistics South Africa website. Moreover, statistics on working time and earnings of employees are regularly submitted to the ILO Department of Statistics via its annual questionnaire on labour statistics. The Committee requests that the Government continue to communicate updated statistics as well as information on any developments regarding the application of the Convention.
Prospects of ratification of the Labour Statistics Convention, 1985 (No. 160). In reply to the previous comments, the Government indicates that it still has every intention to denounce Convention No. 63 and ratify Convention No. 160. It adds that the instruments were presented to the Cluster of Directors-General which is a requirement when submitting instruments to Cabinet and Parliament, respectively. The Committee notes that a Cabinet memorandum has been prepared and submitted to the office of the Minister of Labour with the view to finalizing the Parliamentary process. The Committee welcomes the steps taken and invites the Government to continue to provide information on the progress made towards the ratification of Convention No. 160.

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Part I of the Convention. Statistics relating to wages and hours of work. In reply to the previous comments, the Government provides in its report information on the definitions used for the measurement of the main concepts related to statistics on hours of work and earnings. The Committee notes from the report and from the information available to the ILO Department of Statistics that the main sources of statistics on wages and hours of work are the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) and the Quarterly Employment Statistics Survey (QES), both of which are collected by Statistics South Africa. It also notes that the QLFS collects data from households on usual and actual hours of work for all industries, formal and informal, including agriculture and private households for a reference week. Statistical and methodological information derived from these surveys is available through the Statistics South Africa website. Moreover, statistics on working time and earnings of employees are regularly submitted to the ILO Department of Statistics via its annual questionnaire on labour statistics. The Committee requests that the Government continue to communicate updated statistics as well as information on any developments regarding the application of the Convention.

Prospects of ratification of the Labour Statistics Convention, 1985 (No. 160). In reply to the previous comments, the Government indicates that it still has every intention to denounce Convention No. 63 and ratify Convention No. 160. It adds that the instruments were presented to the Cluster of Directors-General which is a requirement when submitting instruments to Cabinet and Parliament, respectively. The Committee notes that a Cabinet memorandum has been prepared and submitted to the office of the Minister of Labour with the view to finalizing the Parliamentary process. The Committee welcomes the steps taken and invites the Government to continue to provide information on the progress made towards the ratification of Convention No. 160.

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The Committee notes that quarterly statistics of average monthly earnings continue to be collected and compiled from the new Quarterly Employment Statistics Survey, Part 2. It also notes that the Government has envisaged collecting statistics of hourly earnings. The Committee, accordingly, asks the Government to communicate the relevant results together with the methodological information. It also asks the Government whether, with a view to improving the analysis of the operation of the labour market, it is envisaged to collect the usual hours of work by branch of economic activity.

The Committee draws to the attention of the Government new standards concerning the Measurement of Working Time (Resolution I) adopted by the 18th International Conference of Labour Statisticians.

The Committee notes the information according to which the Government is still consulting with a view to ratifying Labour Statistics Convention, 1985 (No. 160). It would be grateful if the Government would keep the ILO informed of any progress made in this respect.

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The Committee notes the information provided in reply to its previous comments. It notes with interest that quarterly statistics of average earnings are now collected and compiled by the new Quarterly Employment Statistics Survey (Part 2) and that they correspond to the requirements of Part II of the Convention. It would be grateful if the Government would indicate whether, with a view to improving the analysis of the operation of the labour market, it is envisaged to collect and compile statistics of average hours of work (hours actually worked or hours paid for) and to compile statistics of average hourly earnings.

Further to its general observation of 2000, the Committee notes the Government’s indications that consultations and investigations will be conducted concerning the possibility of ratifying Convention No. 160. It would be grateful if the Government would keep the ILO informed of any progress in this respect.

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The Committee notes the Government’s report.

Part II of the Convention. The Committee notes that the whole statistical system providing statistics of employment, wages and hours of work was revised by STATS SA in 1997, and two new surveys, the Survey of Total Employment and Earnings and the Survey of Average Monthly Earnings, were introduced, replacing the former 17 surveys, with a view to producing quarterly statistics of average earnings and hours paid for employees in the non-agricultural sector, by branch of economic activity. It notes that these statistics fulfil the requirements of Part II of the Convention. The Committee asks the Government to keep the ILO informed of any further developments in the revised statistical system.

Part III. The Committee notes that minimum wage rates and normal hours of work in industry (mining and quarrying, manufacturing and construction) are fixed by collective agreement, wage boards or industrial councils and are generally established by level of skill and region.

The Committee also draws the Government’s attention, as it did in its general observation of 1988 and general direct request of 1999, to Convention No. 160 concerning labour statistics, adopted in 1985, which revised the present Convention. The Committee recalls the "principles of flexibility and gradualism" of Convention No. 160, and would like to invite the Government to give consideration to the possibility of ratifying Convention No. 160.

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Part II of the Convention. The Committee noted in its earlier comments that certain statistics required by this Part of the Convention, which has not been accepted by South Africa, were in fact compiled and published. It notes from the Government's report that no further progress has been made with respect to the application of this Part. The Committee hopes that the Government will keep it informed in this connection in accordance with Article 2(3) of the Convention.

Part III. With reference to the previous direct request, the Committee notes that the Government's report does not contain detailed information concerning the method employed for compiling the wage rates index numbers, and requests the Government to provide such information (Article 21).

Part IV. Further to its previous direct request, the Committee notes, in connection with measures to regulate the basic conditions of employment in the agricultural sector, the Government's reference to proposed legislation (Basic Conditions of Employment Amendment Bill, 1991) which has been introduced to Parliament and is under consideration. The Committee hopes that further progress will be indicated in the next report with a view to the application of this Part, which has been excluded from the acceptance of the Convention.

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The Committee refers to its general observation.

Part II of the Convention. The Committee notes from the Government's report that no further progress has been made during the period under reference with respect to the application of this Part. The Committee hopes that the Government will keep it informed in this connection.

Part III. With reference to the previous direct request, the Committee notes the Government's statement that statistics of time rates of wages and normal hours of work fixed outside industrial council agreements and wage determinations, are not compiled or published in view of the multiplicity and diversity of private agreements entered into between individual employers and employees.

As concerns index numbers showing the general movement of rates of wages, the Committee notes that the relative importance of each sub-industry group in manufacturing was determined from the number of employees in each group. However, it notes that detailed information has not been supplied concerning the method used for compiling the index numbers. It hopes, therefore, that the Government will provide such information in its next report (Article 21 of the Convention).

Part IV. The Committee notes that the report of the National Manpower Commission on measures to regulate the basic conditions of employment in the agricultural sector has been submitted to the Minister of Manpower. The Committee hopes that further progress will be indicated in the next report with a view to the application of this Part, which has been excluded from the acceptance.