[Federal Register: August 14, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 157)] [Notices] [Page 43731-43732] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr14au98-116] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Bureau of Labor Statistics Proposed Collection; Comment Request ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ``National Longitudinal Survey of Women.'' A copy of the proposed Information Collection Request (ICR) can be obtained by contacting the individual listed below in the Address section of this notice. DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the ADDRESSES section on or before October 13, 1998. BLS is particularly interested in comments which help the agency to: 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 b e 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 National Longitudinal Survey (NLS) of Women has been conducted since the later 1960's. Historically, the NLS of Women was collected as two surveys, the Survey of Work Experience for Mature Women and the Survey of Work Experience for Young Women. In 1995 the Bureau of the Census combined the mature and young women's cohorts into one panel. The data collected in the NLS of Women will contribute to the knowledge about labor market processes involved in the work to retirement transition, and opportunities and services for women who desire to enter or re-enter the labor force. Survey data will contribute to the knowledge about women's ability to succeed in the job market and how their levels of success relate to educational attainment, vocational training, prior occupational experiences, general and job-specific experiences, and retirement decisions. The NLS research contributes to the formation of national policy in the areas of education, training and employment programs, unemployment compensation, and social security benefits. In addition, members of the academic community publish articles and reports based on these NLS data for the Department of Labor (DOL) and other funding agencies. The DOL uses the measurement of changes in the labor market to design programs that would ease employment and unemployment problems. The survey design provides data gathered over time to form the only data set that contains this information. Without the collection of these data, an accurate longitudinal data set could not be provided to researchers and policy-makers, and the DOL could not perform its policy- and report- making activities, as described above. II. Current Actions The 1999 NLS of Women will document work experience, labor force attachment, participation in educational or training programs, financial situations, health status, and health benefits. The survey data will identify any significant trends in the woman's work experience as a whole. The data will continue to include detailed information on the work history and pension coverage of respondents' husbands. In addition, the data will contain information on respondents who give (or receive) time or money to (or from) children. Type of Review: Reinstatement, with change, of a previously- approved collection for which approval has expired. Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics. Title: National Longitudinal Survey of Women. OMB Number: 1220-0110. Affected Public: Individuals or households. Total Respondents: 7,221. Frequency: Biennially. Total Responses: 7,221. Average Time Per Response: 64.5 minutes. Estimated Total Burden Hours: 7,762 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. [[Page 43732]] Signed at Washington, DC, this 11th day of August, 1998. W. Stuart Rust, Jr., Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics. [FR Doc. 98-21919 Filed 8-13-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-24-M