Occupational Wage Survey

Frequently Asked Questions Related to the Occupational Wage Survey Section

Question- 1 :  What is the need of Professional Wage Survey  ?

The availability of reliable statistics on wage rates and earnings for various occupations in particular in various industries is of great importance for a scientific study of the occupational wage structure in various industries and also for the formulation of an appropriate wage policy. Under various Acts in the country such as the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, the Collection of Statistics Act, 1959 and the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 etc. There have been problems of wide gaps in the available wage statistics as it provides industry level data rather than occupation wise details which is essential for proper examination of wage rates and wage disparities in specific occupations/occupations. These details are necessary to define and establish appropriate relationship in standardization of wages in a sector/industry to ensure business structure of labor supply and cost of other factors relevant to proper management of personnel in an industry.

Thus the Occupational Wage Survey serves as the only data source in the country which provides such details. Under this survey, wage data is collected at periodic intervals in respect of workers in selected service sector, plantation, mining and manufacturing industries.

Question -  2 : What are the objectives of the Occupational Wage Survey  ?

1. To obtain employment, occupation-wise data on wage rates and dearness allowance for formulation of base year weights for updating the base of wage rate indices.
2. To obtain data on different components of payroll earnings for various occupations for scientific study of intra-industry and intra-industry variations in earnings in service sector, plantation and mining and manufacturing industries.

Question-3: What are the activities carried out under the Professional Wage Survey  ?

The first and second surveys under the Occupational Wage Survey were conducted in 44 selected industries during 1958-59 and 1963-65. The third round of the Occupational Wage Survey was conducted during 1974-79 in 81 selected industries. The fourth round of the Occupational Wage Survey was started in 1985 in 53 industries and completed in the year 1992. The 5th round of the survey was started in 1993 in 53 industries and completed in 1999. Under the sixth round of the Occupational Wage Survey which was launched in 2002, reports on 37 industries were published. Preliminary work under the proposed 7th round of Occupational Wage Survey is in progress.

Question-4: In which areas the occupational wage surveys are being conducted  ?

The Occupational Wage Survey is being conducted in the service sector, plantation and mining and manufacturing sectors.

Question-5: What are the steps involved in the conduct of Professional Wage Survey  ?

1. Presenting the Framework for Implementation
2. drawing samples and substitute units
3. preparation of field survey
4. employee training
5. Updation of guidelines like preparation/finalization of business
6. Collection of Data from Sample/Surrogate Units
7. scrutiny of schedules
8. data entry
9. correct mistakes
10. tabulation - cross examination of tables
11. report drafting
12. calculation of deviations
13. Typographical tally of draft/final reports
14. Report printing and its final checking

Question- 6:  Who are the users of the data collected under the Occupational Wage Survey  ?

The data collected under the Occupational Wage Survey is used by various ministries and research agencies.