LAMAS Working Group 29 June-1 July 2016 Agenda Item 5.1 Standardisation of variables Sabine.Gagel@ec.europa.eu Eurostat

Overview Standardisation of social variables – scope and consultation process of the exercise P1 and P2 variables – current situation and next steps Eurostat

Standardisation of social variables 2005: First initiative to standardise social variables TF on core social variables (CSV) Increase possibilities of cross-cutting analyses Promote use of CSV in all social surveys 2007: TF report = guidelines 2011: updated methodological guidelines IESS framework regulation Implementation of standardised variables strengthened through inclusion in legislation § on 'elements common to several datasets' Implementing measure to define technical items such as list and description of variables Applies to standardised variables = own implementing act Eurostat

Scope of the exercise Variables used in more than one EU social survey Concepts and data transmission categories to be standardised Aim: detailed methodological manual ('standard descriptions') Some precise information into implementing act on common elements 27 (28) variables concerned 18 core variables: in all data collections P1: 13 variables P2: 14 (15) variables Eurostat

Consultation process for standard descriptions Eurostat proposal Consultation of lead working group Consultation of other working groups 'All working groups agreed' draft to DSS for open issues and approval Eurostat

P1 variables (1) 13 P1 variables 3 labour market P1 variables Work started in 2014; some changes to list during consultations 3 labour market P1 variables At LAMAS in December 2014 and June 2015 Main activity status (self-defined) Full- or part-time main job (self-defined) Permanency of main job All P1 variables at DSS in February 2016 Open issues: date of birth, household matrix Written consultation after DSS Eurostat

P1 variables (2) Revised version to DSS board (end June) Agreement on age For transmission: year of birth, passing of birthday and reference date Further discussion on household matrix at EU SILC WG LM variables largely considered as agreed One change proposed for 'main activity status' 'Permanently unable to work'  'Unable to work due to long-standing health problems' Final approval at DSS meeting in October 2016 Eurostat

P2 variables (1) 14 variables 3 LM variables, agreed by LAMAS in June 2015 Status in employment in the main job Economic activity of the local unit for main job (economic sector) Occupation in main job 'Economic activity' and 'occupation' further aligned to P1 format Level of detail for data transmission added Same approach as used elsewhere (e.g. educational attainment level); nested structure Level of detail is set for each data collection, i.e. no optional transmission at a higher level of detail Eurostat

P2 variables (2) Same process as for P1 variables Eurostat proposals about to be finalised Written consultation of all working groups to be launched soon To DSS in October 2016 for opinion on open issues and approval Eurostat

LAMAS is invited to take note of: the progress and partial approval as regards the standard descriptions of P1 variables; the written consultation of all P2 variables, planned to be launched before summer 2016 / soon. Eurostat