2012 Labour Force Survey To Start Today

Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen.

This morning I am pleased to officially launch the 2012 Labour Force Survey that is being conducted by the Department of Statistics.

This type of Survey is critically important for everyone. It will gather information from household members who are 16 years and older, about their current employment status – whether employed; unemployed; or underemployed.

You may recall in December last year when we shared the final results of the 2010 Census, there were 2,581 persons counted as unemployed; the labour force participation rate had slipped 1%; and an official unemployment rate of 6% was measured.

We all know that there have been several shifts in the workforce since 2010. This labour force survey will obtain the data necessary to update these work force indicators. Thus, Government will have the current statistics and know what shifts are actually taking place in the work force; and, in what areas.

The Survey will commence today May 21st, and span the next several weeks until June 29th. We are calling on every household that has been asked to participate in the survey to provide interviewers with the information that is needed.

This is an opportunity for all of us to collectively work together, towards ensuring that accurate work force statistics and data are obtained to inform us about the current employment levels in Bermuda.

As you know the Government and more specifically the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, along with her team, have been diligently working on a number of initiatives in an effort to alleviate the unemployment plight that many of our immediate family members, relatives, friends and former co-workers have experienced, and continue to experience.

The Government’s Workforce Development Strategy is, and will remain a priority. However, it is essential that everyone works together to ensure its success. In this regard, the labour force survey facilitates the means by which persons will be contacted directly to lend their support by responding to questions about their participation in the work force.

In preparation for this survey, the Department’s Business Statistician traveled to the ILO Training Centre just last month to participate in a technical workshop for designing labour force surveys.

The training also focused on strengthening the production of labour market statistics to support the design of evidence–based policies and planning for the work force. Thus the survey will also capture information on multiple job holders, hours worked, income, educational attainment and the degree to which persons are underemployed.

The results will identify where the shifts have occurred across the varying occupations and industries; and in what areas re-training and upgrade of work skills may be needed.

A sample of 1,500 households chosen at random from across all parishes will be contacted by an interviewer to administer the survey questionnaire. The Department of Statistics will be using two data collection methods to conduct the survey:

1. The Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) method; and,
2. The traditional face to face interview method where interviewers personally visit homes.

In a moment the Director of Statistics will expand on these two data collection methods. However, I want to share that the latter-mentioned data collection method – will extend the use of technology, to pilot a new data collection tool.

Instead of using the traditional paper and pencil questionnaire, interviewers will be testing the use of Computer Net Books to administer an electronic questionnaire to a sample of households.

Certainly, we are aware of the need for more frequent economic indicators of change as our economy continues to be impacted by the business cycles. The expanded use of information technology will facilitate this effort.

Additionally, the Labour Force Survey includes a special module on age discrimination. Information will be gathered from working-aged persons on age discrimination in the workplace, and retirement.

The Department of Statistics is collecting this information on behalf of the Department of Human Affairs. The aim is to ascertain person’s views about mandatory retirement; working beyond 65 years; and, views on delaying the receipt of one’s pension to work longer in the labour force.

Therefore, you can appreciate that the conduct of the Labour Force Survey is timely, it is needed, and it is appropriate. The Government is determined to continue its investment in the gathering of current data and information on employment levels in Bermuda, to strategically support its Workforce Development Strategy, and secure employment for all Bermudians.

In closing, I would like to encourage persons to respond to the survey when called upon by interviewers, your participation is important. We also thank in advance every household person 16 years and older, for their cooperation and support.

I recognize the Director of Statistics, Mrs. Valerie Robinson-James, and her technical team; and at this time invite her to expand further on the conduct of the Survey, and the introduction of the new data collection tool that will be used by the Department of Statistics.

Thank You.

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