Northeastern University economists Paul E. Harrington and Andrew M. Sum argue that a recent report, "Help Wanted", "radically overstates the size of the college labor market." This overcount, they claim, has nothing to do with the recession. "Even in times of near full employment," Harrington and Sum argue that…

The Bureau of Labor Statistics assumed major responsibility for the Current Population Survey in 1959. Since then there have been increases in sample size, changes in and additions of questions, and refinements in the household survey's concept, but in general, the basic concepts have remained the same since the survey's beginnings in 1940. (JOW)

Discusses the unemployment rate and earnings of Hispanics during the 1980s. (JOW)

Discusses the now defunct monthly survey of labor turnover, predominantly in manufacturing. The statistics were used primarily for economic and labor market analysis and for research. The program's major shortcoming was its limited scope--its coverage was not representative of overall economic behavior. (JOW)

Examines how the numbers of workers with earnings at or below the federal minimum wage varies, depending on how the hourly earnings measure is computed. (Author)

New data from the Current Population Survey were used to reclassify occupations by level of education and training required. The following categories resulted: first professional degree; doctorate; master's; work experience plus bachelor's; associate's degree; postsecondary vocational training; work experience; and short-term, moderate, or…

In this issue, this regular department of the bulletin looks at progress and trends in education and training in Angola, Australia, Brazil, France, Panama, and the United States. (JB)

Summarizes the theoretical and practical issues related to the under-estimation of women's work in the labor force and national accounting statistics. Responds to the continuing criticism that women's efforts make no useful impact, unpaid work should not be treated the same as paid work, and efforts are misguided. (JOW)

Almost half the job gains in the 1970s took place in 20 of the 235 occupations and several job groups lost thousands of workers. The author looks at employment changes among the biggest occupational winners and losers of the 1970s. (JOW)

Presents the main features needed for labor statistics to reflect the respective situations for women and men in the labor market. Identifies topics to be covered and detail needed for significant distinctions to emerge. Explains how the choice of measurement method and data presentation can influence the final result. (Author/JOW)

New legislation should ensure the development of an information system to identify priorities in vocational education related to occupational forecasts. Information on employment needs is essential to good educational planning. (JOW)

Black occupational status improved somewhat in the 1970s as proportionately more Blacks moved into white-collar jobs, although few penetrated the higher salaried professional and managerial positions. Black workers need to gain more access to the higher skilled, better paying jobs in the white-collar fields if their earnings are to increase. (JOW)

Updates a 1976 article explaining the stability of hours of work per week in the U.S. since World War II. It introduces a revised series of the ratio of female to male wages over time. In a reply to this article, Kniesner presents estimates which support his 1976 conclusions. (CT)

This study critically examines the measurement of the Comprehesive Employment and Training Act's key allocation variable, unemployment. The analysis indicates (1) unemployment rates are higher than government estimates and (2) methods used to measure state and local umemployment have several weaknesses. (Author/RLV)

Discusses an International Labour Organization program based on scenario-building, regular reporting on labor markets, indicators of imbalances in labor supply and demand, and extension of manpower assessment and planning to the informal sector. Looks at progress, areas calling for action, and outstanding tasks. (JOW)