[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 171 (Friday, September 3, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 53949]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-20106]


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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. 
Currently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments 
concerning the proposed reinstatement of the ``Contingent Work 
Supplement to the Current Population Survey (CPS)'' to be conducted in 
February 2005. 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 November 2, 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

    Since the mid-1980s, 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 limited duration or in 
alternative employment arrangements such as independent contracting, 
on-call work, working through a contract company, or through a 
temporary help firm. It is feared that workers with such employment may 
have little job security, low pay, and no employee benefits. This CPS 
supplement provides objective information about ``contingent work.''

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 
Contingent Work Supplement to the CPS.
    Type of Review: Reinstatement, without change, of a previously 
approved collection for which approval has expired.
    Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
    Title: Contingent Work Supplement to the Current Population Survey 
(CPS).
    OMB Number: 1220-0153.
    Affected Public: Households.
    Total Respondents: 43,500.
    Frequency: Biennially.
    Total Responses: 43,500.
    Average Time Per Response: 8 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 5,800 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 24th day of August, 2004.
Kimberley Hill,
Acting Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor 
Statistics.
[FR Doc. 04-20106 Filed 9-2-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-24-P