UN Expert Group Meeting on revision of ICATUS 11 to 13 June 2012 NEW YORK Presentation by Mrs. G. Appadu MAURITIUS

CONTINUOUS MULTI-PURPOSE HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WITH A MODULE ON TIME USE STUDY The Central Statistics Office conducted the fourth round of the Continuous Multi- Purpose Household Survey (CMPHS) from January to December Following a request from the High Level Committee on "Gender-Responsive Budgeting" a time use study (TUS) was incorporated in that round of the CMPHS. Through UNDP, the statistics office received technical assistance for the planning and organization of the TUS and for the valuation of unpaid productive work from the TUS data.

Objectives of the Time Use Study (TUS) The aim of the TUS was to obtain information on the way that individuals spend their time. This information can be used in numerous ways, the main ones being: the study of the pattern and distribution of different types of productive and non-productive activities across socio-economic categories, age, sex, etc. the measurement and better understanding of unpaid productive work. measurement of economic activities considered as informal work (which very often is not reported in labour force surveys)

Coverage Each month, a sample of 540 households was surveyed. The selection of these households was done in such a way as to represent all private households in all urban, semi urban and rural areas. Thus, a total of 6,480 households (5,940 in the Island of Mauritius and 540 in the Island of Rodrigues) was covered during the period January to December Time use information was collected from all persons aged 10 years and over in the selected households. A 24-hour diary, divided into half- hour slots, was used to record all activities carried out during a specified day.

Data collection Fieldwork was organised in such a way as to cover the same number of households on each day of the survey reference week. However, since 15 households were selected in each of the regions covered by the CMPHS, two households were interviewed on each day of the week and the fifteenth one on any day of the specified week.

Classification of activities Activities reported were classified according to the UN trial activity classification system (test version) with a few adjustments made to cater for local situations (3 digits level) Employment for establishments Work in primary production activities (Informal Sector) Work in non – primary production activities (Informal Sector) Household maintenance, management and shopping for own household Care for children, sick, elderly and disabled household members Community services and help to other households Learning Social and Cultural Activities Mass media use Personal care and self-maintenance

Examples of activities that caused some difficulties during coding exercise Activities done using a computer and internet (to distinguish - work, learning, social & cultural activities and mass media use). Office work continued after office hours at home Doing nothing (was not accepted as being an activity) Listening to radio was a day long activity simultaneously with other activities for some respondents. (Our results showed too much time was spent on this activity – time spent on simultaneous activities within a time slot was equally distributed to the reported activities) Supervision of children / adults needing care (specific activities already classified elsewhere) Distinguish between accessing public services and waiting time for the service Week-end activities (particularly visit to sea side which can be during a whole day) Activities that can be informal work or hobby/leisure (fishing/gardening)

Adapted codes At 3-digit level Different codes for different modes of transport Separate codes used to distinguish care for children, elderly, other adults needing care because of health problem in the household Separate codes used to distinguish unpaid care for non household children and adults Separate codes for office work continued at home, kitchen gardening, collecting fire wood, fetching water

Adapted codes (cont.) Recreational activities – separate codes for visit to the sea side, visit to recreational/nature parks and visits to other places of entertainment Watching television (public/private channels) Attending private tuition identified separately Lying in bed because of illness separate from rest/relaxation

Proposals for additional categories at next TUS Social,cultural and recreational activities: talking/conversations at home (611) talking/conversations outside home (611) visits to relatives/ friends (612) Receiving relatives/friends (612) Attending private parties/functions(weddings, birthday celebrations, etc.) (613) Chat with friends, relatives, via internet (611)

Proposals for additional categories (cont.) Games and other similar pastime activities (723) computer/internet games gambling Indoor and outdoor sports activities (731) Keep fit exercises (separate from participation in sport activities) Activities via internet to be separately identified (learning, socializing, leisure)

Other issues Doing nothing not to be considered as an activity. Treatment of activities in special cases: whole day spent at the seaside, week-end spent at relatives home on special occasions (wedding, funeral, etc.)

Other issues (cont.) For development in quality of life statistics: Possibility of reporting time slots of psychological well being - positive emotions such as laughing, enjoyment, spiritual well being, etc. - discomfort (negative feelings such as anger, feeling depressed, worried, etc.)