[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 30 (Friday, February 13, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 7264]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-3184]



[[Page 7264]]

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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. The 
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments concerning the 
proposed extension of the ``Report on Occupational Employment.'' 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 of this notice on or before April 13, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Amy A. Hobby, BLS Clearance Officer, 
Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 4080, 
2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE., Washington, DC 20212, telephone number 
(202) 691-7628 (this is not a toll free number).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy A. Hobby, BLS Clearance Officer, 
telephone number (202) 691-7628, (See ADDRESSES section).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    The Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey is a Federal/
State establishment survey of wage and salary workers designed to 
produce data on current occupational employment and wages. OES survey 
data assist in the development of employment and training programs 
established by the 1998 Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and the Perkins 
Vocational Education Act of 1984.
    The OES program operates a periodic mail survey of a sample of non-
farm establishments conducted by all fifty States, Guam, Puerto Rico, 
the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands. Over three-year 
periods, data on occupational employment and wages are collected by 
industry at the four- and five-digit North American Industry 
Classification System (NAICS) levels. The Department of Labor uses OES 
data in the administration of the Alien Labor Certification process 
under the Immigration Act of 1990.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics is particularly interested in 
comments that:
     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.

III. Current Action

    Office of Management and Budget clearance is being sought for the 
Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program. Occupational 
employment data obtained by the OES survey are used to develop 
information regarding current and projected employment needs and job 
opportunities. These data assist in the development of state vocational 
education plans. OES wage data provide a significant source of 
information to support a number of different Federal, State, and local 
efforts. The BLS plans to have email data collection in place in all 
States in 2004 or in early 2005. At this time, six volunteer States are 
testing the procedures and software of email data collection. OES is 
enhancing the State Survey Processing and Management (SPAM) computer 
system to improve the quality and timeliness of the data. OES will 
convert to the June 6, 2003, definitions of Metropolitan Statistical 
Areas by 2005.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
    Title: Report on Occupational Employment.
    OMB Number: 1220-0042.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; not-for-profit 
institutions; Federal Government; State, Local, or Tribal Government.
    Total Respondents: 315,900.
    Frequency: Semi-annually.
    Total Responses: 315,900.
    Average Time Per Response: 45 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 236,925 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 30th day of January, 2004.
Cathy Kazanowski,
Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
[FR Doc. 04-3184 Filed 2-12-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-28-M