Methodological descriptions of the national statistics of strikes and lockouts disseminated by the ILO are produced and updated on the basis of information supplied by the relevant national organizations in response to special questionnaires. Information is also drawn from other sources, including national and international publications and Web sites, and other official documents provided to the ILO.

The main aim of producing these descriptions is to provide basic information on the sources and methods used in each country in compiling the statistics of strikes and lockouts disseminated by the ILO, so as to enhance the usefulness of these data for different purposes, and to indicate the differences between the national series as regards their coverage, definitions, methods of measurement, methods of data collection, reference periods, etc.

Each description follows the same format, using standard sections and headings, as follows:

Organization responsible for the statistics

The name of the national authority/ies responsible for collecting the data and for compiling and publishing the statistics.

Objectives and users

The main objectives of compiling the statistics and their principal users, as stated by the countries.

Coverage

The coverage of the statistics, as determined by their source:

Strikes and lockouts: the types of strikes and lockouts covered, such as constitutional or official, unofficial, political or protest, sympathetic and general or widespread strikes and lockouts, and any other forms of action due to labour disputes included in the statistics, e.g. sit-ins, working to rule, go-slows and overtime bans.

Minimum threshold: Where applicable, the minimum criteria used for including a strike or lockout in the statistics, generally in terms of duration, number of workers involved or amount of time not worked, or a combination of these.

Economic activities: the economic activities and sectors covered; any activities and/or sectors excluded.

Workers: the types of workers covered; in addition to workers directly involved, they may include workers indirectly involved or those experiencing the secondary effects of strikes or lockouts; the categories of workers included in addition to regular, full-time paid employees, such as temporary, casual and seasonal workers, part-time workers, unpaid family workers and self-employed workers; the treatment of workers laid off or absent from the workplace at the time of the strike or lockout, or because they were on leave or absent for another reason; any groups of workers excluded.

Geographic areas: the geographic coverage, e.g. the whole country or territory; any areas excluded.

Other: any other aspects limiting the coverage of the statistics, e.g. the types or sizes of establishments covered.

Types of data collected

The types of data collected by the national authority, under the following subheadings:

a) number of strikes and lockouts;

b) number of establishments involved;

c) number of workers involved;

d) duration;

e) amount of time not worked ("time lost");

f) other.

Concepts and definitions

The national terms used in connection with statistics of strikes and lockouts, how they are defined and the sources of the definitions.

Methods of measurement

Strikes and lockouts: The criteria applied in order to identify a single strike or lockout, and hence the number of workers involved, the duration, the amount of time not worked and other elements; the treatment of work stoppages due to the same labour dispute, occurring at the same time or at different times, in different establishments of the same enterprise or of different enterprises, as well as the treatment of strikes and lockouts that are interrupted but later resumed, still due to the same labour dispute, i.e. whether the resumption of the action is considered to be a continuation of the same strike or lockout or a new one.

Establishments: The method used to measure the number of establishments involved in a strike or lockout, and the definition of an establishment.

Workers involved: The method used to estimate the number of workers involved in a strike or lockout; whether separate data are collected concerning workers involved directly and those involved indirectly; the treatment of part-time workers, where they are included, e.g. counted as individuals on the same basis as full-time workers.

Duration: The method used to measure the duration of a strike or lockout; the treatment of any interruptions of the work stoppage; details of the units of measure used, e.g. workdays, calendar days, workhours.

Time not worked ("time lost"): The method used to estimate the amount of time not worked as a result of a strike or lockout; the units of measure used, such as workdays, calendar days, workhours; where relevant, the treatment of the shorter working hours of part-time workers and of overtime.

Classifications

The types and details of classifications used in the national statistics:

a) cause of dispute;

b) outcome of dispute;

c) method of settlement;

d) economic activity;

e) occupational group;

f) number of establishments involved;

g) number of workers involved;

h) duration;

i) time not worked ("time lost");

j) other.

Reference period and periodicity

The reference period(s) for which the national statistics are compiled and published, such as a month, a quarter and a year; Whether the statistics refer to: (a) strikes and lockouts beginning during the reference period only, (b) strikes and lockouts beginning during the reference period plus those continuing from the previous period, or (c) strikes and lockouts terminating during the reference period.

The periodicity with which the statistics are compiled and published.

Analytical measures

The types of analytical measures calculated using the data on strikes and lockouts, such as averages, distributions or rates.

Historical background of the series

The origin of the series, including the starting date and the initial objectives of compiling the data; the date and nature of any major changes that have occurred (e.g. in the coverage of the statistics, the concepts or classifications used).

Documentation

Series available: a list of the major series appearing in the national publications and Web sites.

Bibliographic references: the names of the national publications and the addresses of Web sites in which the statistics appear, as well as those in which methodological information is provided; whether all the data are disseminated; whether extracts can be made available either in printed form or on diskette, etc.

The address of the national Web site in which the statistics appear.

Data published by the ILO: the types of data that are available in the ILO, usually for publication in the Yearbook of Labour Statistics.

Confidentiality: any restrictions on the publication or release of data, usually in the form of confidentiality rules or regulations.

International standards

The international statistical standards or guidelines taken into account, if any, when the system for collecting and compiling the statistics was designed or revised; the employers' and workers' organizations consulted during this process.

Methods of data collection

The procedures and organization of data collection; any legal obligations to report a strike or lockout; the methods used for reporting; the types of information reported; survey methods used, where relevant; any changes planned in the next few years.

Additional information

Information about any other national sources of data on strikes and lockouts which may complement the source described above.