Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (SO SR)

Labour and Education Statistics Department

Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (SO SR),
Mileticova 3,
824 67 Bratislava,

Slovak Republic

During 2015, Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic (SO SR) carried out the Structure of Earnings Survey (SES) in the SR for the reference year 2014. The SES is a sample survey based on a yearly cycle. It followed after similar surveys that had been conducted for the years 1996 – 2013.

Methodology of the SES, being developed on the basis of Eurostat´s recommendations, is based on the Council Regulation (EC) N^o 530/1999 concerning structural statistics on earnings and on labour costs, the Commission Regulation (EC) N^o 1738/2005 as regards the definition and transmission of information on the structure of earnings, the Commission Regulation (EC) N^o 698/2006 concerning quality evaluation of structural statistics on earnings. The requirements of the Slovak government and its central bodies have been also taken into the consideration.

Since 2002, the SES has been joined with an annual statistical sample survey – Average earnings information system. This survey is carried out by the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic in cooperation with the SO SR on the base of thr Government regulation N^o 43/1997.

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New concept added with the migration to SIMS 2.0.
Information (content) will be available after the next collection.

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New concept added with the migration to SIMS 2.0.
Information (content) will be available after the next collection.

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New concept added with the migration to SIMS 2.0.
Information (content) will be available after the next collection.

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New concept added with the migration to SIMS 2.0.
Information (content) will be available after the next collection.

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New concept added with the migration to SIMS 2.0.
Information (content) will be available after the next collection.

Not available.
New concept added with the migration to SIMS 2.0.
Information (content) will be available after the next collection.

Not available.
New concept added with the migration to SIMS 2.0.
Information (content) will be available after the next collection.

Not available.
New concept added with the migration to SIMS 2.0.
Information (content) will be available after the next collection.

Population consisted of all legal subjects with one and more employees, registered in the Business Register, which were recorded in the Registers of organizations and establishments kept by Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. The set covers profit and non-profit organizations (incl.enterprises) in all economic activities of the Slovak Republic.

Data are collected annually.

System of data collection in the SES 2014 depended on technical conditions of reporting units. The data was collected via electronic mail. Reporting units selected and recorded required data from the enterprise databases in connection with personal and wage programs. 

The inputs are divided into two files:

A- inputs related to local kind - of- activity units,

B- inputs related to employees.

 Sometimes a different number of employees was recorded in the file A (the total number of employees in the local kind - of- activity unit) in comparison with total number of employees in the file B. The data were requested repeatedly and corrected. The data were evaluated and revised on the basis of Global Checks and Plausibility Checks, indicated in EUROSTAT´s arrangements for the implementation of both, the Regulation (EC) N^o 530/1999 and the Regulation (EC) N^o 1738/2005.

Data processing was realised by means of the specific software with a complex of calculations and checks.

Examples of checks referring to earnings:

• obligatory control that must be corrected,
• direct remuneration must be more than 0,
• bonuses can be only equal or more than 0,
• total number of emplyees must be more than 0,
• logical control that must be corrected,
• payments to health insurance scheme must be less than statutory social security contributions,
• if number of apprentices is more than 0 than wages and salaries of apprentices must be more than 0,
• hours worked by full-time employees must be less or equal to hours worked by all employees,
• arithmetical control that must be corrected,
• number of full and part time employees plus number of apprentices is equal to total staff employed,
• information control that should be verified,
• direct remuneration is outside the test limits derived from the range of most occurence of employees that was measured within the current enterprise survey on labour,
• paid hours per week is more than 40.

Sets of global and plausibility checks were used to verify correctness and completeness of information.

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New concept added with the migration to SIMS 2.0.
Information (content) will be available after the next collection.

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The SES outputs users:

Multinational organizations: EUROSTAT Directorate F: Social statistics and Information Society, Unit F-3 Labour market statistics, ILO, OECD, World Bank - to compare situation in earnings at the international level.

Official national level: Parliament, Government, Ministries (in particular the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic, the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic), the Social insurance agency – to use these outputs for the evaluation of the state and development of society from macro and micro level. They elaborate the analyses and forecast of earnings development for a budgetary policy-making. The forecast of taxes, that is a direct input (budget revenues) for the state budget.

Data classified by gender are used for implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women as regards access to employment, vocational training and working conditions.

Statistical level: Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic.

Social actors: Trade unions, Employer’s associations – to use the data for the control of keeping employee´s and employer´s rights and duties.

Researches. students: Universities – to use the data for production of the study materials, the graduation theses, doctoral thesis and research purposes.

Media: Press agencies, newspapers – to inform public about the earnings situation and development in the Slovak Republic.

Currently, there is no information on any lower level of user satisfaction concerning completeness (units, variables, breakdowns), accuracy or timeliness of the SES.

All mandatory variables required in the Regulation (EC) N^o 72/2002, in the Regulation (EC) N^o 1738/2005 and in the Regulation (EC) N^o 698/2006 were provided.

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See below.

1. Probability sampling

Coefficients of variation were calculated by the following formula:

where

N_n - the number of units in the stratum "n" of the universe

  - the number of units in the universe total

m  - the number of stratums

n_n  - the number of units in stratum "n" of the sample

¯x   - arithmetical mean

x_ni   - mean per individual unit

¯x_n   - mean in stratum "n" 

 The coefficients of variation for gross earnings and gross hourly earnings in the reference month (October) for full-time employees broken down by economic activity - Nace Rev.2, occupation, age groups, size of enterprise and sex (tables 1a,2a,3a,4a) are low.

These coefficients of variation for part-time employees (tables 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b) are higher than those related to full-time employees. The main reason of these high values is that employees in Slovakia highly prefer full-time job rather than part-time job. This fact influences the low share of employees working in part-time job in the sample.

2. Non – probability sampling

Non – probability sampling was not used in the SES 2014.

See below.

Population consisted of all legal subjects with one and more employees, that are registered in the Registers of organizations and establishments (i.e. local kind-of-activity units), kept by Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. The set covers profit and non-profit organizations in all economic activities of the Slovak Republic. As of January 1, 2014, the sample frame comprised 60 346 legal statistical units.

The sample was created by using the statistical method of a random sample within stratum with the estimated number of inactive units. The source for data processing was the register of active and inactive reporting units. The sample consisted of 8 195 statistical units. All statistical units with 500 and more employees were fully included into the survey with regard to influence of these big-size organizations on economic development in the Slovak Republic.

The coverage errors were caused by inaccurate data which were provided by the statistical units to the Registers of organizations and establishments. In some cases the questionnaires included different identification data (e.g. economic activity, size, region) on surveyed statistical units as compared to the Register. Some of them were not included as their changes had not been announced to the Register. Some data from sample units were not included also for the following reasons – liquidation, bankruptcy, units had not any employee, due to unknown address.

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Resulting from experiences with the regular data collection since 1996, the errors of measurement are considered as negligible.

The data collection errors occurred directly from bookkeeping software.

The data were evaluated and revised on the basis of Global Checks and Plausibility Checks, indicated in EUROSTAT´s arrangements for the implementation of both, the Regulation (EC) N^o 530/1999 and the Regulation (EC) N^o 1738/2005.

Sample in the year 2014 - 8 195 units

Returned  statistical questionnaires: 7 935

Non response: 260

Response rate: 96.80%

Response rate for the selected variables

Some assistance was offered, if necessary, by the processing organization in cooperation with Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic. This support consisted particularly of consultations and explanation concerning methodology, definitions of variables, compilation and recording of data. After gathering and recording of data the controls were undertaken, which were focused on quantity – filling every needed indicator as well as on quality – correctness of indicators. Problematic statistical questionnaires were operatively solved, suspicious and missing data were verified by phone. Therefore, the response rate for surveyed variables was high.

Data from 260 units were not included in the survey. Out of 260 units 3 were in liquidation, 2 units in bankruptcy, 6 units did not employ any employee, 7 questionnaires were returned blank due to unknown address, 35 units had technical problems, rejected 2 units and 205 units did not provide data.

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The collected data related to the calendar year. The selection of the reference month was ensured according to the Regulation (EC) N^o 698/2006 and data were provided for October 2014.

All size groups of enterprises (incl. units with less than 10 employees) were covered.

Data submitted to the users in Slovakia cover all branches according to the national classification of economic activities and they are classified at 1 and 2 digit level, which is compatible with NACE Rev 2. Data submitted to Eurostat were provided for sections B – S.

All data were surveyed directly from the SES.

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The SES micro-data transmission to Eurostat ran before the deadline (9 June 2016).

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Phases and of data collection:

• Preparation of the survey and realization of an electronic collection of the extended data entry file - 15 December 2014.
• Selection and creation of the representative sample of the statistical units from the Register of organizations and establishments (i.e. local kind-of-activity units) - 15 December 2014.
• Elaboration and preparation of the methodological materials for the statistical units - 19 December 2014.
• Development of the informational system and preparation of new software in relation to the new structure of data – 10 December 2014.
• Delivery of methodological materials and technical data media for selected statistical units - 2 January 2015.
• Consultations and provision of professional assistance for statistical units for the preparation and the automated data collection. Realization of the collection and complex controls of data – entry accuracy and data integrity, which were collected from the statistical units. Evidence of delivered questionnaires, evidence of non - response - from 1 January to 17 February 2015.
• Assessment of data received from a sample of the statistical units in terms of compliance with the representation, evaluation of the statistical characteristics by classification attributes - 20 February 2015.
• Follow-up, re-calling the absent statistical units and definitive end of the data collection - 24 February 2015.
• Consolidation and testing of accuracy and completeness of data – entry from questionnaires into software Black- box II. and data processing for the sample - 2 March 2015.
• Preparation and realization of grossing – up procedures on Register of organizations and establishments in the Slovak Republic, data processing - 19 March 2015.
• Release of the publication –Structure of Earnings in Slovak Republic in 2014 (Slovak and English version) - 18 June 2015.
• Realization and submission of the micro-data to EUROSTAT – 9 June 2016.
• Quality evaluation of the structural statistics on labour costs and earnings according to the Commission Regulation (EC) N^o 698/2006 - December 2016.

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The SES 2014 is based on a sample of employees drawn from a stratified sample of statistical units. Population consisted of all legal persons registered in Business Register as of January 1, 2014, regardless they are profit or non-profit organizations in all economic sectors of the Slovak Republic. Source of data for generating sample frame (set of units that can be chosen for sample) was Register of Organizations and Register of Establishments (i.e. local units) administrated by the SO SR. Sample is a set of units chosen from the whole working population. Current sample presents information on average wages of more than one quarter of employees in the national economy. Presented information on earnings refer to nearly all working positions according to ISCO – 08.

Partial differences in the structure of earnings in the Slovak Republic in comparison with the European Union result from the specific character of the Slovak wage system (for example bonuses for being on call to work outside the workplace, premiums related to profit sharing and payment in kind are not included into earnings). For this reason we have prepared two versions of results - the survey outputs corresponding with demand of the Slovak users and those based on the Eurostat´s requirements comparable with Community statistics on the level and structure of earnings on the basis of list of variables established in the Regulation (EC) N^o 1738/2005.

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Since 2002, the SES has been interconnected with the annual statistical sample survey – Average earnings information system.The enlargement of the number of the statistical units occurred during the creation of the sample in 2002 - 2014. Scope of the sample has been enlarged from 2 500 units in 2002 to 8 195 units in 2014. The enlargement of the sample was realised for the provision of higher data representativeness, comparability and completeness on the territorial basis as the SES data are used also in the regional statistics.

The SES was adapted according to the Regulation (EC) N^o 1738/2005 and it was enlarged by variables as follows:

1.5        Collective pay agreement

2.3        Occupation in the reference month (ISCO-08)

2.5        Highest succesfully completed level of education and training (ISCED 2011)

2.6        Length of service in the enterprise

2.7.1     % share of a full - timer’s normal hours

2.8        Type of employment contract

3.1        Number of weeks in the reference year to which the gross annual earnings relate

3.2        Number of hours actually paid during the reference month

3.2.1     Number of overtime hours paid in the reference month

3.3        Annual days of holiday leave

4.1        Gross annual earnings in the reference year

4.1.1     Annual bonuses and allowances no paid in each pay period

4.2        Gross earnings in the reference month

4.2.1     Earnings related to overtime

4.2.2     Special payments for shift work

4.3        Average gross hourly earnings in the reference month

Length of comparable time-series: 4 years

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Coherence with the structure of employees in the Labour Force Survey (LFS) for the same reference period (2014)

 Definition of employees by LFS

Employees - persons aged 15 years and more who work at least one hour for a public or private employer and who receive compensation in the form of wages or salaries, including members of productive co-operatives, persons on community service and professionals in military service. Data on employed include persons not working in the reference year due to illness, holiday, maternity leave, study, weather conditions and strike or dispute, except persons on long-term unpaid leave from work and persons on parental leave.

Definition of employees by SES

Employees - all persons defined in the Regulation (EC) N^o 1738/2005.

The percentages of the employees SES out of the employees LFS are presented in the attached document Coherence_LFS (tables 5-6).

 The variances in the numbers of the employees were influenced by:

- the different method of the survey’s realization and  the data grossing-up,

- the different methodology. 

The problem with the calculation of the number and the filling of the number of the employees in the LFS was another very important reason of high and low values of ratio of the number of employees in SES as compared to the number in the LFS. It was impossible to exclude the economic activity NACE Rev.2 section A of employees from the LFS data in the table by education.

The different number of employees working in the part time job between the LFS and the SES are influenced by the low number of employees working in this type of job in the Slovak Republic. It means that it is difficult to include these employees to the sample equally.

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Coherence with the structure of gross annual earnings in National Accounts (NA) for the same reference period (2014)

The percentages of gross annual earnings in SES and NA are presented in the attached document Coherence_NA (table 7).

The variances in gross annual earnings were influenced by:

- the different method of the survey’s realization and  the data grossing-up,

- the different methodology. 

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The annual publication (Slovak and English version) is displayed on the Internet website of Statistical Office of the SR (https://www.statistics.sk) and in the “Catalogue of Publications”. The publications include metadata, data and graphs.

Key information on annual national data was issued in the publication titled Statistical Yearbook in the Slovak Republic in bilingual versions. 

The SES regional data with further economic and social indicators are available in the regional database of the SO SR (DATAcube).

Key information on annual national data is also available at the SO SR´s website under the online database SLOVSTAT that is free of charge.

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Micro-data in the electronic transmission format were sent to EUROSTAT in 2016.

The SES data were used also for the ILO Yearbook of Labour Statistics Questionnaire 2015.

On the basis of the SES data the structural indicator Gender Pay Gap has been calculated.

The annual publication (Slovak and English version) is displayed on the Internet website of Statistical Office of the SR (https://www.statistics.sk) and in the “Catalogue of Publications”. The publications include metadata, data and graphs.

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The Law on State Statistics defines the secrecy and confidential data protection. Without the approval of responding units providing the relevant individual data, this information can not be published or announced to anybody or used for other than statistical purposes.

If the number of the statistical unit in any cell of the table formed by aggregating the individual data is less than three the data in the concerned cell is considered confidential. Confidential data are under high protection from direct or indirect identification and can not be published.

The grossed up results of the SES 2014 are presented in the attached document Grossed_up_results_tabular_analyses (tables 8-17)