ILO Department of Statistics to the United Nations for labour statistics

The restrictions necessary to combat COVID-19 pose a huge obstacle to data collection operations, precisely when there is a massive increase in demand for information. We reached out to national data producers to understand the impacts of the pandemic on their statistical operations particularly in the domain of labour statistics. Here is a summary of the responses so far. This has now been followed up with a guidance note on the different options available to countries to maintain their labour force survey data collection, covering challenges at different stages of the process.

While international standards remain a sound reference, we also provide guidance on essential labour force survey content and treatment of special groups, with a focus on topics which are more prevalent now, such as job absences of uncertain duration, business closures and reduced job search.