Proposed Collection; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to

reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance

consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies

with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing

collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction

Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)] This program helps to

ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format,

reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized,

collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of

collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed.

Currently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments

concerning the proposed reinstatement of the ``Contingent Work

Supplement to the Current Population Survey.''

A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be

obtained by contacting the individual listed below in the addresses

section of this notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the

addresses section below on or before September 4, 1998. The Bureau of

Labor Statistics is particularly interested in comments which:

Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is

necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,

including whether the information will have practical utility;

Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the

burden of the proposed collection of information, including the

validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the

information to be collected; and

Minimize the burden of the collection of information on

those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate

automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection

techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting

electronic submissions of responses.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Karin G. Kurz, BLS Clearance Officer,

Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 3255,

2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20212. Ms. Kurz can be

reached on 202-606-7628 (this is not a toll free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

The Current Population Survey (CPS) has been the principal source

of the official Government Statistics on employment and unemployment

for over 50 years. Labor force data are collected through the CPS under

authority of Title 29, United States Code, Sections 1 and 2. Since the

mid-1980's, there has been a growing belief among labor market

researchers that employers require greater flexibility in their use of

labor. As a result, many workers find themselves in ``contingent jobs''

that are structured to last for only a limited duration or in

alternative employment arrangements such as independent contracting,

on-call work, and working through temporary help agencies or contract

companies. It is feared that workers with such employment may have

little job security, low pay, and no fringe benefits. This CPS

supplement would provide objective information about ``contingent

work.''

II. Current Actions

The contingent work supplement provides information on the number

and characteristics of workers in contingent jobs, that is, jobs which

are structured to last only a limited period of time. The survey also

provides information about workers in several alternative employment

arrangements, including those working as independent contractors and

on-call workers, as well as those working through temporary help

agencies or contract companies.

Type of Review: Reinstatement, with change, of previously approved

collection for which approval has expired.

Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Title: Contingent Work Supplement to the Current Population Survey.

OMB Number: 1220-0153.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Total Respondents: 48,000.

Frequency: One-time only.

Total Responses: 48,000.

Average Time Per Response: 8 minutes.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 6,400 hours.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized

and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget

approval of the information collection request; they also will become a

matter of public record.

Signed at Washington, DC this 29th day of June 1998.

W. Stuart Rust, Jr.,

Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

[FR Doc. 98-17800 Filed 7-2-98; 8:45 am]

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