A nested-error regression model having both fixed and random effects is introduced to estimate linear parameters of small areas. The model is applicable to data having a proportion of domains where the variable of interest cannot be described by a standard linear mixed model. Algorithms and formulas to fit the model, to calculate EBLUP and to estimate mean-squared errors are given. A Monte Carlo simulation experiment is presented to illustrate the gain of precision obtained by using the proposed model and to obtain some practical conclusions. A motivating application to Spanish Labour Force Survey data is also given.

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