The article tackles the difficulties of statistical information on labor questions in Italy, starting from the development of a fundamental survey on the subject (Survey of Work Forces) by ISTAT, whose data-gathering and classifying methods were overhauled at the start of the present decade. Despite notable efforts, there are still gaps and delays that make it indispensable, as part of the more general transition from producing and making available information to extending knowledge, to proceed at once to the use of administrative data for statistic purposes, making the administrative sources a primary resource for official statistics. An opportunity is provided by the introduction of obligatory communication (of recruitments and dismissals), which is a valuable source of information on the flow of entries/exits from the job market, and also by the plan to unify monthly communications on insurance contributions (Uniemens). only subscribers can see the full article