1. LAMAS Working Group 7-8 December 2015
Agenda Item 2.3 Feasibility studies – general discussion on a future testing regime
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2. Overview Context Problems with current testing approach
Changes proposed
Upcoming tests
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3. Context – IESS
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4. Context General need for tests prior to changes
Large spread in interest to participate – several tests with three or less countries
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5. Problems with current approach and proposals for improvement (1/2)
HR and budget constraints
Difficult to change
Administrative burden of grant procedure
Lumpsums
Timing constraints
Scope of actions announced at LAMAS June N-1
Diverging methods for performing tests
No common evaluation of tests results
For each feasibility study, agreement on key issues (method for performing tests, evaluation of test results)
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6. Problems with current approach and proposals for improvement (2/2)
No common structure
Report template for communicating on the result
First proposal from Eurostat + References from FI
Lack of rules agreed by LAMAS for performing tests
Set of rules related to answering categories of variables
Missing link between TF and LAMAS members
Min. number of LAMAS delegates in each TF? Co-chair?
Countries in TF involved in testing; LAMAS members to ensure that rules are applied and 'sell' the TF proposal
Lack of infrastructure and/or expertise
Share expertise in LFS workshops?
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7. Upcoming tests - 2016 INCDECIL net/gross conversion: DE, MT, IS
Module on transition to retirement: HR, NL, SI, SK, FI
Module on migrants: DE, HR, NL, SI, SK, MK
Several single-variable tests: DE, ES, HU, MT, NL, SK
Variance estimation: BG, ES, LV, MT NL, SK, FI
MUR: CZ, EL, MT, AT?, IS
Infra-annual rotation: BE, LV, FI
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8. Further pre-IESS FR tests
Household subsampling
Model questionnaire for employment/ unemployment
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9. Feasibility studies under IESS FR
IESS FR Article 13 on feasibility studies
Feasibility studies to be implemented when IESS enters into force (from 2019?)
Urgent to consult LAMAS
Discussion in DSS in 2016 (in view of discussion of this article in Council and Parliament) on:
List of feasibility studies for each domain
And countries ready to implement each of them
Results of feasibility studies to be discussed by LAMAS/DSS
If changes agreed, implementation not before 2025 (evaluation whether FR or implementing act to be revised)

10. First ideas for tests under IESS FR
Improvement of longitudinal component
Harmonisation related to variance estimates
"Real" modularisation
More MUR-based tests
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11. LAMAS is invited to:
take note and discuss the list of current problems identified with testing/feasibility studies and proposals to improve the situation in the future
express views on the tests planned from 2016 onwards and on proposed key issues