Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2000, published 89th ILC session (2001)

Labour Statistics Convention, 1985 (No. 160) - Mexico (Ratification: 1988)

The Committee notes the Government’s report, including the indication that the CONCAMIN (Confederación de Cámeras Industriales de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos), to whom a copy of the Government’s report was sent, commented that they considered necessary a greater participation in the design or revision of the concepts, definitions and methodology used in the collection, compilation and publication of labour statistics. The Committee hopes that the Government will take the necessary steps to ensure the full participation of the representative organizations of employers and workers in the design or revision of the concepts, definitions and methodology used in the collection, compilation and publication of labour statistics.

The Committee also notes information supplied in reply to its previous request concerning the application of Articles 3 and 17 of the Convention (as regards Article 7). It asks the Government to provide further information on the following points:

Article 8.  The Committee recalls that the last population census was undertaken in 1990. It understands that the next one is planned for 2000. Thus, the Committee requests the Government to communicate to the ILO the results of the 2000 population census as soon as practicable.

Article 9.  The Committee notes that the coverage of the statistics of average earnings and hours of work has been extended, through the use of (a) the annual National Employment Survey (ENE) which covers all economic activities and occupational groups, and (b) four establishment surveys in the most important branches of economic activity (Encuesta Industrial Mensual, Empresas maquiladoras de exportación, the quarterly Encuesta Nacional del Sector Formal de la Industria de la Construcción and Encuesta Mensual sobre Establecimientos Comerciales), which provide monthly statistics of average earnings and hours of work as a by-product of the industrial statistics, in the sectors of manufacturing, export subcontracting industries, construction and wholesale and retail trade. Information is available on these surveys, except for the statistics of average earnings, hours of work and compensation of employees in manufacturing derived from the Encuesta Industrial Mensual. The data contained in the annexes to the report only show indices of real earnings or compensation of employees, and no statistics on nominal average earnings and hours of work are available. The Committee asks the Government to communicate to the ILO: (i) the principal publications in which the statistics derived from the ENE and the establishment surveys appear (in accordance with Article 5); (ii) the statistics of average earnings and hours of work derived from the establishment surveys in construction and wholesale and retail trade (Article 5); (iii) the methodological description of the annual Encuesta Nacional de Empleo, the monthly Encuesta de la Industria Maquiladora de Exportación, and the Encuesta Mensual sobre Establecimientos Comerciales (Article 6). It would also be grateful if the Government could supply some information on the concepts and components of the measure "remuneraciones" used in the abovementioned four establishment surveys.

Article 11.  The Committee notes that statistics on the level and structure of labour cost are not compiled as such although it seems that statistics of average compensation of employees can be compiled on the basis of the four abovementioned establishment surveys. The Committee asks the Government what steps, if any, are envisaged to collect, compile and publish statistics on the level and structure of average labour cost by economic activity, according to the guidelines contained in Recommendation No. 170, Paragraph 6.

Article 12.  The Committee draws the attention of the Government to the obligation to send to the ILO methodological information (in accordance with Article 6). If this methodological information relating to the new series has already been published, the Committee asks the Government to provide the title and reference of the publication. It would be appreciated if the monthly data for all-items and food indices could also be sent to the ILO.

Article 14.  The Committee notes with interest the Government’s explanation concerning the classification of the data according to economic activity, and the progress made in supplying information by economic activity to the ILO. It also notes the detailed methodological information supplied to the ILO. Noting that the statistics currently compiled cover only about 35 per cent of all persons employed, and do not include the self-employed, who account for 40 per cent of total employment, the Committee requests information as to any plans the Government may have to extend the coverage of the statistics, so as to be more representative of the country as a whole.

Article 15.  The Committee notes with interest the information supplied concerning the establishment of a system that will enable the compilation of statistics relating to strikes under both local and federal jurisdiction. The Committee asks that it be kept informed of further developments in this connection.

Article 16.  The Committee draws the Government’s attention once again to the possibility of accepting the obligations of Article 13, and asks the Government to supply information on any progress in this respect.