Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
Population, Employment & Cost of Living Statistics Division
Labour Statistics Section
1.3. Contact name
Restricted from publication
1.4. Contact person function
Restricted from publication
1.5. Contact mail address
46, Pireos & Eponiton Str. 18510 - Piraeus
1.6. Contact email address
Restricted from publication
1.7. Contact phone number
Restricted from publication
1.8. Contact fax number
Restricted from publication
2.1. Data description
The Labour Cost Survey was carried out by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) pursuant to the requirements of Council Regulation (EC) No 530/1999, Commission Regulation (EC) No 1726/1999 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1737/2005.
The scope of the survey, at national level, is the production of statistical data regarding labour cost in enterprises. More specifically, the collected data pertain to the following variables: a) Number of employees, b) Hours actually worked, c) Paid hours and d) Labour costs. Additionally, at a macroeconomic level, the conduct of the labour cost survey will become the way to depict the allocation of labour cost to several divisions of economic activity. Moreover, this allocation can be evaluated according to the special characteristics of persons employed broken down by divisions of economic activity. Finally, at EU level, the survey aims at providing harmonized statistics, which will provide comparable quantity and quality information for all Member-States as regards labour cost.
The quality report is prepared in accordance with Commission Regulation No 698/2006 of 5 May 2006 implementing Council Regulation (EC) No. 530/1999 concerning quality evaluation of structural statistics on labour costs and earnings, providing information on the six dimensions of the European Statistical System quality definition, namely relevance, accuracy, timeliness and punctuality, accessibility and clarity, comparability and coherence.
2.2. Classification system
Enterprises are stratified by economic activity at the division level of the NACE classification (NACE Rev.2), by size of the enterprise, in terms of number of employees, to which the local unit belongs and by region at level 1 of the NUTS 2016 Nomenclature.
2.3. Coverage - sector
Sector coverage
LCS 2020 covers the enterprises that employ more than 10 employees and belong to all economic activities except the following NACE Rev. 2 sections:
A (‘Agriculture, forestry and fishing’), O (‘Public administration and defence; compulsory social security’), T (‘Activities of households as employers; undifferentiated goods and services producing activities of households for own use’) and U (‘Activities of extraterritorial organisations and bodies’)
Geographical coverage
Greece, total.
2.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The concepts and definitions of the basic variables of the Labour Cost Survey are defined in Commission Regulation (EC) 1737/2005 amending Regulation (EC) No 1726/1999, as well as Regulation (EC) 530/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
In the framework of the Labour Cost Survey, the following definitions shall apply:
Regional Unit is a geographical area and it is defined in accordance with the Municipalities under Kallikratis Plan. In most cases, it refers to a geographical area which is defined by the boundaries of the Department (“Nomos” - NUTS 3 level).
More information about the structure of the Regional Units in Greece are available on the website of ELSTAT at the following link:
Local unit of the enterprise is every local branch of the enterprise which is operating in a different physical place and may belong to a different division of economic activity and be located in another Regional Unit.
An enterprise may belong to more than one divisions of economic activity. For the Labour Cost Survey, the division of Economic Activity of the Enterprise shall be the division which employs the majority of the employees of the
enterprise.
The Division of Economic Activity of the local unit is the division which employs the majority of the employees of the local unit and may be different from the division of economic activity of the enterprise.
Employees are defined as all the employed persons who have a direct employment contract with the enterprise or the local unit, i.e., they are listed in the enterprises’ payroll and receive remuneration in the form of wages or salaries, irrespectively of the kind of their work and the number of working hours (full or part-time employment) and the duration of the contract (fixed or indefinite).
Apprentices are those remunerated employed persons who do not yet fully participate in the production process and who work either under an apprenticeship contract or in a situation in which vocational training predominates over productivity.
Total hours actually worked during the year represent the sum of all hours of actual work, during normal working hours and hours of overtime work, paid or not paid and irrespectively of the level of the remuneration. This variable includes time for preparatory tasks, time spent at the place of work during which no work is done (for example: machine stoppages and accidents), the time spent on filling in forms and writing reports and the hours spent in training.
Total hours actually worked does not include hours paid but not worked, for example: paid holidays/vacation, public holidays, absence due to sickness, maternity leave, etc, as well as the hours spent on the training of apprentices.
Paid hours are the annual number of normal work hours and overtime remunerated hours during the year, the hours remunerated with a lower rate even if the difference is covered by social security contributions, as well as hours not worked during the reference periods but nevertheless paid (annual leave, sick leave, official holidays and other special leave, etc).
Total labour cost is the total expenditure borne by employers in order to employ staff. Labour costs include compensation of employees with wages and salaries in cash or in kind and employers' social contributions and any taxes relating to employment regarded as labour costs, any expenditure borne by the employer for vocational training and other expenditure less any subsidies received by the employer.
Wages and salaries include bonuses, pay forshift work, allowances, fees, tips and gratuities, commission and remuneration in kind. Wages and salaries are recorded for the period during which the work is performed. However, Christmas/Easter bonuses and other extraordinary payments (13th salary and payment of delayed remunerations, etc.) are recorded in the period during which they should normally be paid.
Employer’s social contributions: are the total of the social security contributions paid by the employer, in order to ensure the employees’ right to social benefits. The employer’s social contributions may be actual or imputed.
Vocational training costs paid by theemployer
These include: expenditure on vocational-training services and facilities, also those for apprentices but not their wages and salaries. This expenditure also includes small repairs and maintenance of buildings and installations, expenditure on participation in courses; the fees of instructors from outside the enterprise; expenditure on teaching aids and tools used for training; sums paid by the enterprise to vocational-training organisations, etc. Subsidies linked to vocational training, as well as expenditure on the remuneration of training personnel should be deducted.
Other expenditure paid by the employer and are related to labour cost, such as:
a) recruitment costs (these are the sums paid to recruitment agencies), expenditure on job advertisements in the press, other expenses paid to candidates called for interview (travel expenses), installation allowances paid to newly recruited staff, etc.
b) other expenses, such as on uniforms provided by the employer, etc.
Labour cost-linked taxes paid by the employer (excluding payroll taxes). These are all the taxes based on wages and salaries expenditure, paid by the employer.
Subsidies received by the employer: These are all amounts received in the form of subsidies of a general nature intended to refund part or all of the cost of direct remuneration but not intended to cover social-security or
vocational-training costs. These do not include refunds paid to the employer by social security institutions or supplementary insurance funds.
2.5. Statistical unit
The primary statistical unit is the local unit of the enterprise with average annual employment amounting to, at least, 10 employees. As a register of local units is not available, the primary unit is considered the enterprise with average annual employment amounting to, at least, 10 employees and belongs to sections B to S of Nace Rev.2. (Excluding section O).
2.6. Statistical population
The statistical population is the total of the enterprises employing at least 10 employees and that belong to sections B to S of Nace Rev.2 (excluding section O).
2.7. Reference area
Greece, total.
2.8. Coverage - Time
The Labour Cost Survey is a yearly survey with a four-year periodicity. In the past, the survey was conducted for the reference years 2000,2004,2008,2012 and 2016, for which data have been compiled.
The data have been compiled as follows:
a) the data of the survey for the years 2000 until 2008 were compiled in accordance to Nace Rev.1.1.
b) the data from 2008 onwards are compiled in accordance to Nace Rev.2.
2.9. Base period
Not applicable.
3.1. Source data
Labour Cost survey (LCS) is a mandatory survey.
3.2. Frequency of data collection
Labour Cost survey (LCS) is carried out every 4 years.
3.3. Data collection
The data are collected through a specially designed questionnaire (PAPI). The questionnaires are delivered to external survey workers (statistical interviewers) who, upon training, visit the enterprises in order to fill in the questionnaire with the assistance of the enterprise’s staff or they hand the questionnaire to be filled in by the accountant of the enterprise. Afterwards, they collect the filled in questionnaires and they deliver them back to ELSTAT.
In those cases where an enterprise refuses to cooperate with the statistical interviewers, refuses to respond, or when there are delays, an employee form the Labour Statistics Section of ELSTAT pays a visit to the enterprise and collects the necessary information.
The same procedure is followed in the Regional Statistical Offices (RSO) of ELSTAT. The questionnaires are sent by post to the RSO and then the completed questionnaires are sent back by the RSO to ELSTAT. In some cases (due to lack of time) the questionnaire may be sent and returned by e-mail.
Non-response is addressed through telephone contact with the enterprise, reminders sent by e-mail or personal visits to the enterprise.
Data collection during 2021 has been affected by the special circumstances resulting from the restrictive measures imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The questionnaire was designed according to the instructions of the ‘Labour Cost Survey 2020: Eurostat’s arrangements for implementing the Council Regulation 530/1999 and the Commission Regulation 1737/2005’ document.
Phone and email assistance to the enterprises by ELSTAT staff from Regional Statistical Offices (RSO) and Head office.
The initial data checking were carried out at the Regional Statistical Offices (RSO). The data entry application was designed with additional controls and filters.
The data are validated by applying logical checks. Data values which did not belong to the acceptable range were further investigated and corrected in cooperation with the enterprise.
3.5. Data compilation
Not applicable.
3.6. Adjustment
Not applicable.
4.1. Quality assurance
Correctness and completeness checks, as well as quality checks are carried out during the whole process of the compilation of the data of the Labour Cost survey: from the data collection stage to the final compilation of the results.
First of all, well-trained and experienced staff is engaged in all the stages of the compilation of the data, namely for data collection - including communication with the enterprise - initial checks, data entry, checks for outliers.
Data are validated either before or after data entry by means of logical checks. During data processing the data are checked in order to identify and correct any errors. When an error is identified, the data are further investigated, in cooperation with the enterprises in order to confirm that it is an error or it is just an unusual value. At the same time, data are checked for completeness, accuracy and consistency of the correlating variables.
The Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) aims to ensure and further improve the quality of statistics produced and maintain the confidence of users in them. This is achieved through the Quality Policy and Quality Guidelines of ELSTAT, which are posted on the website of ELSTAT and are available at the following links:
The results of the Labour Cost survey are transmitted to Eurostat where they are assessed and validated.
5.1. Relevance - User Needs
The Labour Cost survey meets national needs and the needs of European users. Generally, the survey provides statistical information necessary to improve the competitiveness and performance of the business community.
The main national users of the Labour Cost survey results are as follows:
The Government and other public agencies
The Bank of Greece and other Hellenic banks
Scientific community (academics / researchers, students)
Press and other Media
Commercial Business
Hellenic Chamber of Commerce
Other sections of ELSTAT (National Accounts)
At international level, the survey results are used by
Eurostat
International Monetary Fund (IMF),
United Nations (UN)
European Central Bank (ECB),
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD),
International Labour Organization (ILO), etc.
5.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
a. User Satisfaction Survey
ELSTAT conducts a user satisfaction survey every semester. The results of this survey are published in the Library’s Newsletter which is issued by the Library and the Section of Statistical Dissemination of ELSTAT, drawing information from the user’s questionnaire. This publication presents data on the number of users in relation with other variables, such response rate to users’ requests, the kind of requested data, as well as the dissemination mode of statistical information. These characteristics are tabulated and are presented in absolute values and percentages.
b.Users Conference
Pursuant to its annual statistical work programme, ELSTAT has been conducting since 2010, on a yearly basis, the Users Conference with the participation of representatives of the public and private sector, academics and research institutes.
The Users Conferences offer ELSTAT the opportunity to gather comments and proposals made by users of statistics pertaining to the dissemination of statistical information, access to statistical data and any shortcomings in the produced statistics.
The Users Conferences help ELSTAT to draw useful conclusions on the areas of statistical production that need to be improved in order to live up fruitfully the evolving needs of users. Such conclusions are integrated in the annual and short-term statistical programmes of ELSTAT.
More information on a) the results of the User Satisfaction Survey and b) on the Users Conferences are available on the portal of ELSTAT via the following link:
The Labour Cost survey covers all the variables defined in the relevant EU Regulations.
5.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Not applicable.
See below.
6.1. Accuracy - overall
The errors that have an impact on the accuracy of the data are: sampling errors (a) and non-sampling errors (b).
a.Sampling errors are due to the fact that the survey is not conducted on all the enterprises of the target population but on a sample. The sample size ensures high accuracy estimations at the level of Greece as a total.
b.Non-sampling errors mostly refer to measurement errors and non-response errors, on account of non-response of the sample enterprises. Any measurement errors during data collection are identified by means of quality checks and are duly corrected. As regards non-response errors, all efforts are made for contacting the enterprises, that have not responded, by phone or by other means of communication, in order to encourage cooperation and to provide necessary information.
6.2. Sampling error
The Labour Cost survey is a sample survey and as a result the estimations for the total as well as for the sections of economic activities have sampling errors.
Sampling methodology
The labour costs survey covers sections B to S (section O not included) of NACE Rev.2 and the enterprises with average annual employment equal to or greater than 10 employees. The single stratified random sampling method was applied; the surveyed unit is the enterprise and statistical information is obtained for each separate local unit of the enterprises included in the sample.
The sampling frame used for the sample design was based on the Business Register (BR) of ELSTAT. This BR is based on the VAT Register of the Ministry of Finance and it is updated through the statistical surveys of ELSTAT and the register of the Social Insurance Foundation.
Stratification
The enterprises with 10 or more employees included in the survey were stratified as follows:
a. By geographical region – NUTS I,
b. By division (two-digit NACE Rev.2 code) within each geographical region
(Geography x Economic activity = Major stratum), and
c. By size class of the enterprise. In each of the major strata, the enterprises were stratified into H=5 size classes,
according to their size, determined by their average annual number of employees in the business register, as follows.
Class 1
10-19
Employees
Class 2
20-49
Employees
Class 3
50-99
Employees
Class 4
100-249
Employees
Class 5
250 or more
Employees
The enterprises that belong to the 5th size class were surveyed exhaustively.
Sample size
The sample size amounts to 6.642 enterprises (sampling fraction is 14,05%) and the response rate is 32.82%. The sample size of the enterprises was defined so that the relevant standard error (co-efficient of variation CV) of the variables “annual labour costs” and “hourly labour costs” at 2-digit code of economic activity for the whole country does not exceed 5%. The sampling units (enterprises) were allocated to size strata applying the method of optimal (Neyman) allocation.
The population (N) and the sample size (n), broken down by section and by size class of enterprises, are presented in the following table:
Table 1. The population (N) and sample size (n) by section and by size class
Sample vs population size (initial design)
Total
E10_49
E50_249
E250_499
E500_999
E1000
N
n
N
n
N
n
N
n
N
n
N
n
Total
47,262
6,642
41,374
3,624
4,927
2,057
513
513
256
256
192
192
B
138
58
116
37
15
14
5
5
1
1
1
1
C
5,697
1,468
4,659
852
891
469
95
95
39
39
13
13
D
86
39
67
25
14
9
1
1
1
1
3
3
E
268
141
201
87
62
49
4
4
1
1
F
1,864
285
1,648
173
199
95
11
11
4
4
2
2
G
7,827
587
6,972
308
756
180
55
55
15
15
29
29
H
1,854
386
1,559
220
241
112
31
31
12
12
11
11
I
12,475
618
11,424
351
963
179
66
66
19
19
3
3
J
1,035
359
820
202
171
113
27
27
10
10
7
7
K
397
148
318
89
56
36
13
13
4
4
6
6
L
301
66
257
41
41
22
3
3
M
1,633
457
1385
282
204
131
28
28
13
13
3
3
N
1,655
458
1284
221
308
174
30
30
18
18
15
15
P
714
299
298
38
251
96
76
76
47
47
42
42
Q
7,024
348
6812
212
177
101
16
16
10
10
9
9
R
1,940
420
1538
168
270
120
41
41
50
50
41
41
S
1,075
247
953
168
111
68
6
6
2
2
3
3
6.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
The coefficients of variation of the variables “annual labour costs” and “hourly labour costs” are presented below:
The survey collects data from enterprises with 10 or more employees.
It is possible that some enterprises included in the Register, although being selected in the sample have ceased to exist during the survey conduct (closed enterprises, enterprises out of scope, e.g. enterprises employing less than 10 employees).
Furthermore, some enterprises may have not been included in the sample because they started operating at a later stage. This resulted in under coverage and underestimation of the produced statistics (under coverage rate).
It is worth noting that in the time period between sample selection and conducting the survey (data collection phase), some sampling units (enterprises) have changed strata (stratum switchers). This fact changed the initial variation of data, the initial allocation of the sample enterprises, thus inflating the variation of estimations. Therefore, the coefficient of variation of the produced statistics was higher than the coefficient of variation which had been calculated on the basis of the sample design.
See table 6.3.1.1 in Annex EL - ESQRS tables LCS 2020 (excel)
6.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
During the collection phase of the questionnaires the feedback by the interviewers is presented below
See table 6.3.1.1 in Annex EL - ESQRS tables LCS 2020 (excel)
6.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not applicable.
6.3.2. Measurement error
The data collection method which was used was the “face-to-face interview’’ by form of of paper questionnaires (PAPI). The collection method applied ensured the high quality of the collected information, since the statistical interviewers assisted the respondents, and carefully checked the filled in questionnaires, before leaving the enterprise.
The statistical interviewers who participated in the survey are mainly external interviewers and secondarily, if necessary, experienced officials of the Hellenic Statistical Authority. Prior to the conduct of the survey, the interviewers attended a one-day training seminar. The purpose of the seminar was to enable the interviewers to: (a) fully understand the definitions of the survey characteristics (b) correctly fill in the questionnaire, and (c) efficiently check for errors by applying logical checks.
The structure and the size of the questionnaire were designed so as to be user-friendly for the interviewers. Additionally, useful instructions were included, analyzing all the variables of the questionnaire. This action was aimed at collecting fully completed questionnaires, with no missing variables and at minimizing processing errors.
The support and supervision of the collection of questionnaires were decentralized in the Regional Statistical Offices (RSO) of ELSTAT. The checking for the detection of measurement errors was carried out in the RSO. Then, a second round of validation checks was carried out, after the data processing in ELSTAT Central Office including coding, checks for the correct filling in of all relevant variables and checks for ensuring that labour cost variables fall within a reasonable range for the division.
After conducting all final checks for identifying non-sampling errors, the database was ready for the extrapolation process and the plausibility checks after tabulation. These checks included comparisons of data with relevant data of previous survey and other surveys.
During the period of the data collection and the data validation process, the variables which presented the most “difficulties” for respondents were the calculation of the number “Hours Worked” and “Hours Paid” and the number of part-time employees converted into full-time equivalents.
6.3.3. Non response error
Non-response of the enterprises is addressed by sending reminder (follow-up) letters via e-mail, by calling the enterprises or by paying a visit to the enterprise, in order to collect the requested data.
Data were collected from June 2021 to March 2022 and the response rate of the enterprises was lower than usual due to the special circumstances resulting from the restrictive measures imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the census strata, where all the population units had been included in the sample, unit response was sometimes high, but not 100% for all the combinations of sections and size classes, on account of non-response of some enterprises. Consequently, some census strata became sampling strata, thus increasing sampling error for the survey characteristics.
6.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
The response rate (32,82%) was calculated as the ratio of the number of the collected questionnaires to the designed sample.
Due to non-response, the extrapolation factors were calculated by multiplying the inverse of inclusion probabilities of the sampling units by the inverse of response rate of the eligible in each homogeneous class defined by a two-digit economic activity and size class.
See table 6.3.3.1 in Annex EL - ESQRS tables LCS 2020 (excel)
6.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Not applicable.
6.3.4. Processing error
Once collected, the data are processed in order to compile the results for the Labour Cost survey.
More specifically, once the data are gathered in the Head office of ELSTAT, the following statistical actions take place: codification, logical checks, data entry and comparison with other sources of statistical information.
After the completion of all the final checks in order to spot any non-sampling errors, quality checks are carried out on the collected data in order to identify any outliers. If outliers and errors are spotted then are duly corrected.
6.3.4.1. Imputation - rate
Not applicable.
6.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable.
6.4. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable.
6.5. Data revision - policy
Not applicable.
6.6. Data revision - practice
Not applicable.
6.6.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
7.1. Timeliness
The reference period for Labour Cost Survey (LCS) is the calendar year 2020.
The final results of the LCS 2020 were transmitted to Eurostat in 15 July 2022, thus the time lag between the transmittion date and the reference period of the data is t+18,5 months
7.1.1. Time lag - first result
t+18,5 months
7.1.2. Time lag - final result
t+18,5 months
7.2. Punctuality
The final results of the LCS 2020 were transmitted to Eurostat in 15 July 2022, two weeks after the expiration of deadline (t+18 months) due to a technical problem that had occurred in the infrastructure of ELSTAT's IT system which caused the suspension in a series of works, including LCS data processing.
7.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Not applicable.
8.1. Comparability - geographical
No deviations from Labour Cost survey (LCS) concepts and definitions.
The definition of the statistical units, the reference population, the classifications and definitions of the surveyed variables in the results transmitted to Eurostat were determined in compliance with Council Regulation (EC) No 530/1999. Thus, the produced statistics are comparable among the Member States of the European Union.
8.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
8.2. Comparability - over time
The 2008,2012,2016 and 2020 Labour Cost surveys were based on the same methodology. For reference years 2012,2016 and 2020, Nace Rev.2 section O was not included (optional section).
8.2.1. Length of comparable time series
The 2008,2012,2016 and 2020 Labour Cost surveys were based on the same methodology. For reference years 2012,2016 and 2020, Nace Rev.2 section O was not included (optional section).
8.3. Coherence - cross domain
Coherence with statistics from the Labour Force Survey (LFS)
Comparison between the number of hours actually worked expressed per employee of the Labour Cost Survey (B1/A1) and the average actual hours in the main job per year of the Labour Force Survey (LFS) are presented in the below graph.
See table and graph: Coherence with LFS in annex EL - ESQRS tables LCS 2020 (excel)
Some significant differences between the above surveys are observed due to the fact that:
In LCS the variable ‘hours worked’ derive from the information given by the accounting office of the enterprise, on the other hand, in LFS it is an estimation of the respondent employee that, in some cases, is overestimated.
The unpaid overtime hours are not captured in LCS
Both surveys are different, with a different sampling frame, sample design, etc
LFS data are for enterprises with 1+ employees
Coherence with structural business statistics (SBS)
Comparison between the variable “wages and salaries” expressed per employee of the Labour Cost Survey (D11/A1) and the same variable per employee of Structural Business Statistics (SBS) are presented in the below graph.
See table and graph: Coherence with SBS in annex EL - ESQRS tables LCS 2020 (excel)
Generally, the difference observed between the two surveys is due to:
Different statistical unit, for the SBS is the enterprise, but for the LCS is the local unit. In SBS all employees are classified in the economic activity of the enterprise, while in LCS the local unit may have different economic activity.
Coherence with Labour Cost Index (LCI)
Comparison between the average annual growth rates of the variable ‘Hourly Labour Costs’ ((D1+D2+D3+D4-D5) / B1) and the average annual growth rate of the unadjusted LCI. The growth rates refer to the reference year of the survey 2020 compared to the previous survey of 2016, and are presented in the graph below.
See table and graph: Coherence with LCI in annex EL - ESQRS tables LCS 2020 (excel)
The main reasons for discrepansies between the two sets of statistics (growth rates from LCI and LCS) is due to:
Different target population, for the LCI is the total of the enterprises employing at least 5 employees, but for the LCS is the total of the enterprises employing at least 10 employees.
8.4. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable.
8.5. Coherence - National Accounts
Comparison between the variable “Compensation of Employees” expressed per employee (D1/A1) and the same variable of the NA are presented in the below graph.
See table and graph: Coherence with NA in annex EL - ESQRS tables LCS 2020 (excel)
The National Accounts are compiled firstly on the basis of short-term statistics and at a later stage on annual statistics, when the annual statistics are available. The data coming from NA are provisional and cover the enterprises with one or more employees.
8.6. Coherence - internal
Not applicable.
9.1. Dissemination format - News release
In 11 November 2022, a press release was published on the portal of ELSTAT at the link:
The questionnaire used for the survey is fully harmonized with Eurostat’s requirements. The total time needed for the completion of the questionnaire is approximately 2 hours .The cost of the survey conduct amount approximately to 43,387 euros.
11.1. Confidentiality - policy
The issues concerning the observance of statistical confidentiality by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) are arranged by articles 7, 8 and 9 of the Law 3832/2010 as in force, by Articles 8, 10 and 11(2) of the Regulation on Statistical Obligations of the agencies of the Hellenic Statistical System and by Articles 10 and 15 of the Regulation on the Operation and Administration of ELSTAT.
More precisely, ELSTAT disseminates the statistics in compliance with the statistical principles of the European Statistics Code of Practice and in particular with the principle of statistical confidentiality.
11.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
ELSTAT protects and does not disseminate data it has obtained or it has access to, which enable the direct or indirect identification of the statistical units that have provided them by the disclosure of individual information directly received for statistical purposes or indirectly supplied from administrative or other sources. ELSTAT takes all appropriate preventive measures so as to render impossible the identification of individual statistical units by technical or other means that might reasonably be used by a third party. Statistical data that could potentially enable the identification of the statistical unit are disseminated by ELSTAT if and only if:
a) these data have been treated, as it is specifically set out in the Regulation on Statistical Obligations of the agencies of the Hellenic Statistical System (ELSS), in such a way that their dissemination does not prejudice statistical confidentiality or
b) the statistical unit has given its consent, without any reservations, for the disclosure of data.
The confidential data that are transmitted by ELSS agencies to ELSTAT are used exclusively for statistical purposes and the only persons who have the right to have access to these data are the personnel engaged in this task and appointed by an act of the President of ELSTAT.
ELSTAT may grant researchers conducting statistical analyses for scientific purposes access to data that enable the indirect identification of the statistical units concerned. The access is granted provided the following conditions are satisfied:
a) an appropriate request together with a detailed research proposal in conformity with current scientific standards have been submitted;
b) the research proposal indicates in sufficient detail the set of data to be accessed, the methods of analyzing them, and the time needed for the research;
c) a contract specifying the conditions for access, the obligations of the researchers, the measures for respecting the confidentiality of statistical data and the sanctions in case of breach of these obligations has been signed by the individual researcher, by his/her institution, or by the organization commissioning the research, as the case may be, and by ELSTAT.
Issues referring to the observance of statistical confidentiality are examined by the Statistical Confidentiality Committee (SCC) operating in ELSTAT. The responsibilities of this Committee are to make recommendations to the President of ELSTAT on:
the level of detail at which statistical data can be disseminated, so as the identification, either directly or indirectly, of the surveyed statistical unit is not possible;
the anonymization criteria for the microdata provided to users;
the granting to researchers access to confidential data for scientific purposes.
The staff of ELSTAT, under any employment status, as well as the temporary survey workers who are employed for the collection of statistical data in statistical surveys conducted by ELSTAT, who acquire access by any means to confidential data, are bound by the principle of confidentiality and must use these data exclusively for the statistical purposes of ELSTAT. After the termination of their term of office, they are not allowed to use these data for any purpose.
The Labour Cost Survey was carried out by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) pursuant to the requirements of Council Regulation (EC) No 530/1999, Commission Regulation (EC) No 1726/1999 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1737/2005.
The scope of the survey, at national level, is the production of statistical data regarding labour cost in enterprises. More specifically, the collected data pertain to the following variables: a) Number of employees, b) Hours actually worked, c) Paid hours and d) Labour costs. Additionally, at a macroeconomic level, the conduct of the labour cost survey will become the way to depict the allocation of labour cost to several divisions of economic activity. Moreover, this allocation can be evaluated according to the special characteristics of persons employed broken down by divisions of economic activity. Finally, at EU level, the survey aims at providing harmonized statistics, which will provide comparable quantity and quality information for all Member-States as regards labour cost.
The quality report is prepared in accordance with Commission Regulation No 698/2006 of 5 May 2006 implementing Council Regulation (EC) No. 530/1999 concerning quality evaluation of structural statistics on labour costs and earnings, providing information on the six dimensions of the European Statistical System quality definition, namely relevance, accuracy, timeliness and punctuality, accessibility and clarity, comparability and coherence.
Not Applicable
The concepts and definitions of the basic variables of the Labour Cost Survey are defined in Commission Regulation (EC) 1737/2005 amending Regulation (EC) No 1726/1999, as well as Regulation (EC) 530/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
In the framework of the Labour Cost Survey, the following definitions shall apply:
Regional Unit is a geographical area and it is defined in accordance with the Municipalities under Kallikratis Plan. In most cases, it refers to a geographical area which is defined by the boundaries of the Department (“Nomos” - NUTS 3 level).
More information about the structure of the Regional Units in Greece are available on the website of ELSTAT at the following link:
Local unit of the enterprise is every local branch of the enterprise which is operating in a different physical place and may belong to a different division of economic activity and be located in another Regional Unit.
An enterprise may belong to more than one divisions of economic activity. For the Labour Cost Survey, the division of Economic Activity of the Enterprise shall be the division which employs the majority of the employees of the
enterprise.
The Division of Economic Activity of the local unit is the division which employs the majority of the employees of the local unit and may be different from the division of economic activity of the enterprise.
Employees are defined as all the employed persons who have a direct employment contract with the enterprise or the local unit, i.e., they are listed in the enterprises’ payroll and receive remuneration in the form of wages or salaries, irrespectively of the kind of their work and the number of working hours (full or part-time employment) and the duration of the contract (fixed or indefinite).
Apprentices are those remunerated employed persons who do not yet fully participate in the production process and who work either under an apprenticeship contract or in a situation in which vocational training predominates over productivity.
Total hours actually worked during the year represent the sum of all hours of actual work, during normal working hours and hours of overtime work, paid or not paid and irrespectively of the level of the remuneration. This variable includes time for preparatory tasks, time spent at the place of work during which no work is done (for example: machine stoppages and accidents), the time spent on filling in forms and writing reports and the hours spent in training.
Total hours actually worked does not include hours paid but not worked, for example: paid holidays/vacation, public holidays, absence due to sickness, maternity leave, etc, as well as the hours spent on the training of apprentices.
Paid hours are the annual number of normal work hours and overtime remunerated hours during the year, the hours remunerated with a lower rate even if the difference is covered by social security contributions, as well as hours not worked during the reference periods but nevertheless paid (annual leave, sick leave, official holidays and other special leave, etc).
Total labour cost is the total expenditure borne by employers in order to employ staff. Labour costs include compensation of employees with wages and salaries in cash or in kind and employers' social contributions and any taxes relating to employment regarded as labour costs, any expenditure borne by the employer for vocational training and other expenditure less any subsidies received by the employer.
Wages and salaries include bonuses, pay forshift work, allowances, fees, tips and gratuities, commission and remuneration in kind. Wages and salaries are recorded for the period during which the work is performed. However, Christmas/Easter bonuses and other extraordinary payments (13th salary and payment of delayed remunerations, etc.) are recorded in the period during which they should normally be paid.
Employer’s social contributions: are the total of the social security contributions paid by the employer, in order to ensure the employees’ right to social benefits. The employer’s social contributions may be actual or imputed.
Vocational training costs paid by theemployer
These include: expenditure on vocational-training services and facilities, also those for apprentices but not their wages and salaries. This expenditure also includes small repairs and maintenance of buildings and installations, expenditure on participation in courses; the fees of instructors from outside the enterprise; expenditure on teaching aids and tools used for training; sums paid by the enterprise to vocational-training organisations, etc. Subsidies linked to vocational training, as well as expenditure on the remuneration of training personnel should be deducted.
Other expenditure paid by the employer and are related to labour cost, such as:
a) recruitment costs (these are the sums paid to recruitment agencies), expenditure on job advertisements in the press, other expenses paid to candidates called for interview (travel expenses), installation allowances paid to newly recruited staff, etc.
b) other expenses, such as on uniforms provided by the employer, etc.
Labour cost-linked taxes paid by the employer (excluding payroll taxes). These are all the taxes based on wages and salaries expenditure, paid by the employer.
Subsidies received by the employer: These are all amounts received in the form of subsidies of a general nature intended to refund part or all of the cost of direct remuneration but not intended to cover social-security or
vocational-training costs. These do not include refunds paid to the employer by social security institutions or supplementary insurance funds.
The primary statistical unit is the local unit of the enterprise with average annual employment amounting to, at least, 10 employees. As a register of local units is not available, the primary unit is considered the enterprise with average annual employment amounting to, at least, 10 employees and belongs to sections B to S of Nace Rev.2. (Excluding section O).
The statistical population is the total of the enterprises employing at least 10 employees and that belong to sections B to S of Nace Rev.2 (excluding section O).
Greece, total.
Not Applicable
The errors that have an impact on the accuracy of the data are: sampling errors (a) and non-sampling errors (b).
a.Sampling errors are due to the fact that the survey is not conducted on all the enterprises of the target population but on a sample. The sample size ensures high accuracy estimations at the level of Greece as a total.
b.Non-sampling errors mostly refer to measurement errors and non-response errors, on account of non-response of the sample enterprises. Any measurement errors during data collection are identified by means of quality checks and are duly corrected. As regards non-response errors, all efforts are made for contacting the enterprises, that have not responded, by phone or by other means of communication, in order to encourage cooperation and to provide necessary information.
Not Applicable
Not applicable.
Labour Cost survey (LCS) is a mandatory survey.
Not Applicable
The reference period for Labour Cost Survey (LCS) is the calendar year 2020.
The final results of the LCS 2020 were transmitted to Eurostat in 15 July 2022, thus the time lag between the transmittion date and the reference period of the data is t+18,5 months
No deviations from Labour Cost survey (LCS) concepts and definitions.
The definition of the statistical units, the reference population, the classifications and definitions of the surveyed variables in the results transmitted to Eurostat were determined in compliance with Council Regulation (EC) No 530/1999. Thus, the produced statistics are comparable among the Member States of the European Union.
The 2008,2012,2016 and 2020 Labour Cost surveys were based on the same methodology. For reference years 2012,2016 and 2020, Nace Rev.2 section O was not included (optional section).
