Govt to conduct labour force survey annually
DAR ES SALAAM: IN a significant move to adapt to the dynamic changes in the labour market, the government has announced its intention to conduct an Integrated Labour Force Survey (ILFS) annually, shifting from the previous five-year cycle.
Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Youth, Employment and the Disabled), Professor Joyce Ndalichako announced this yesterday, during the conclusion of the ILFS 2024 researchers and research supervisors training session in Morogoro.
Minister Ndalichako cited the rapid growth in technology and increased globalisation as driving forces behind the decision.
She emphasised the need for up-to-date and detailed labour market statistics to enable the government make informed and productive decisions in a rapidly changing environment.
“The decision comes because the government needs to get detailed statistics of the labour market that will reflect the real situation in order to make more productive decisions,” stated Prof Ndalichako.
The primary objectives of the ILFS include identifying key indicators of the labour market, assessing the levels of unemployment, underemployment, labour force participation rates, child labour prevalence, and employment by occupation.
The move aligns with the government’s commitment to achieving its goals, including generating eight million jobs by 2025 as outlined in the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Manifesto for 2020-2025.
The ILFS has a rich history in Tanzania, dating back to 1965 with subsequent surveys conducted in 1990/91, 2000/2001, 2006, 2014, and 2020. The surveys have played a crucial role in collecting labour market information and socio-economic data essential for policy formulation, in line with national, regional, and international development aspirations.
Prof Ndalichako highlighted the importance of the study’s results in helping the government understand the real situation of the labour market. The data will aid in identifying areas of strength and challenges, enabling the formulation of targeted strategies to promote economic growth and create decent job opportunities.
The ILFS will cover all regions of Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, with 441 carefully selected counting areas representing the entire country.
The study involves 139 researchers and 26 research supervisors, spanning a 12-month period to comprehensively measure employment and unemployment trends throughout the year.
Dr Albina Chuwa, the Statistician General, expressed gratitude to development stakeholders, including the World Bank (WB) and the International Labor Organisation (ILO), for their financial and technical support for the study.
Anne Makinda, the Commissioner for the 2022 Population and Housing Census in Mainland Tanzania, emphasised the importance of accurate statistics to inform government decisions.
She noted that current statistics indicate a national workforce of 55.4 per cent, and through the ILFS, the government aims to obtain a more realistic understanding to guide effective policymaking.
The results of the ILFS are expected to play a pivotal role in measuring and monitoring the implementation of national, regional, and international development plans, including the National Development Vision 2025, Zanzibar Vision 2050, African Agenda 2063, East Africa Vision 2050, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, particularly Goal Number 8, which focuses on promoting sustained economic growth and decent work.
