1. LAMAS Working Group 10-12 December 2014
Agenda Item 3.2 Task force on harmonisation of the measurement of employment and unemployment: Revised model questionnaire

2. Harmonisation of employment and unemployment
The main reasons why the task force changed the model questionnaire
New resolution from the International Conference of Labour Statisticians in October 2013
Test results for the model questionnaire

3. Changes in the sub-module "At work"
Complete overhaul of the starting question EAW1
EAW2 minor wording adjustments
EAW3 deleted

4. Result from the consultation round and exchange of views on "At work"
New EAW1 (consult.)
New "At work" (exch. views)

5. Proposed new opening question EAW1
Old question: "In the 7 days ending Sunday the [date], did you do any work for pay or profit even if it was only for one hour?" New questions: (EAW1a) "In the week from Monday the [date] to Sunday the [date], did you have a job or a business?" If 'no', then (EAW1b) "Did you have any other work for pay or profit, even if it was only a small or occasional activity?" If 'yes' on either of these, then (EAW1c) "Did you work for at least one hour in that week?"

6. Main arguments for and against changing EAW1
It is better to start directly with the ILO concept
Not respondent friendly; some types of employment will be overlooked; persons on holiday will often answer wrongly; over-focus on "only for one hour"
This will cause a time series break
Yes, but that will happen in any case
Second jobs are not considered in question EAW1c
Mistake made when writing the implementation instructions, will be corrected

7. The LAMAS is asked to decide on which version of EAW1 is preferred
If a consensus proves to be impossible to find, decide on a test regime for the model questionnaires

8. Remaining main changes, by sub-module
"Producing goods"
Discussion with affected NSIs will be held
"Absences from work"
EAB3 – received broad support in consultation round
"Looking for work"
Minor adjustments of wording
"Job search methods"
Follow decision from agenda point 2.5
"Availability"

9. Exchange of views – other issues
Further tests
Implement after 2020

10. LAMAS is asked to
agree on further testing of the new version of the model questionnaire
especially in countries that have expressed scepticism about the new questions in the sub-module "At work" in the written consultation
and in countries impacted by the sub-module "Producing goods"
agree to implement the operational definition and the model questionnaire only from 2021, if needed
looking into if it is possible with earlier implementation?