1 Evidence-based policy, while desirable, is only possible if informed by careful analysis using sound and transparent data. In any socio-economic research and analysis, definitions of the variables and the underlying concepts must be clear, uniformly and consistently applied. It is only when this is achieved that time series data can be compared both within a country and across countries and trends established. PRE AMBLE PARIS21 Strategic Statistical Planning Workshop; July 2005: Accra, Ghana National Strategy for Development of Statistics (NSDS)

2  Appreciation of the ILO’s DG to the Organisers of the workshop  Time when Africa is focused on programmes to improve the standards of living of its people and move them out of poverty in particular.  The need for effective and efficient monitoring and evluation ssystem cannot be over-emphasized National Strategy for Development of Statistics (NSDS) PARIS21 Strategic Statistical Planning Workshop; July 2005: Accra, Ghana

3 National Strategy for Development of Statistics (NSDS)  The Statistical work of the ILO has expanded over the years to 3 main areas:  Development of international statistical standards based on experinece and needs of member countries.  Provision of technical advise through expert consultancies, manuals and guidelines and training,  Dissemination of key national statistics and methodological information through publications and electronic methods. PARIS21 Strategic Statistical Planning Workshop; July 2005: Accra, Ghana

4 Standards Setting  The main intrument has been through the International Conference of Labour Statisticains (ICLS)  Held every five years since 1923  ICLS makes recommendations on selecetd topics in form of resolutions and guidelines  They often relate to concepts, definitions, classifications and other methodological procedures  They are based on good practices and are intended to enhance comparability of data PARIS21 Strategic Statistical Planning Workshop; July 2005: Accra, Ghana

5 Standards Setting  The last 17th ICLS (Nov-Dec 2003) dealt specifically with (a) HIES and (b) Consumer Price Indices (CPI)  Working Groups were also set up to deal with the following topics:  International Clasisifciaction Of Occupationss (ISCO –1988)  Informal employment statistics  Decent work indicators  Social dialogue and trade trade unions statistics  Gender mainstreaming  Working time statistics PARIS21 Strategic Statistical Planning Workshop; July 2005: Accra, Ghana

6 ILO Technical Cooperation  ILO TC comes in the form of training, advisory services and assistance in implementation of specific data collection, analysis and dissemination programmes  Training in the application of standards and use of manuals  Participates in training programmes of other institutions  Coordinates with other regional and international organizations such as EUROSTAT, UN Statistical Division, IMF, the World Bank, FAO, etc.  This ensures consistency throughout the international statistcial system e.g. between Sytem of National Accounts (SNA) and employment statistics. PARIS21 Strategic Statistical Planning Workshop; July 2005: Accra, Ghana

7 Dissemination of Labour Statistics  ILO strongly belives that statistical data is ONLY useful if they are disseminated and are actually being used.  ILO compiles data from countries (notably NSOs), generally through questionnaires.  The information is then stored in elctronic databases together with methodological information. The major products (databases) of these efforts are:  LABORSTAT, which is the main database covering all subjects for which ILO is the custodian under the UN system  Yearbook of Labour Statistics (printed and now CD-Rom versions)  Bulletin of Labour Statistics PARIS21 Strategic Statistical Planning Workshop; July 2005: Accra, Ghana

8 Statistical Capacity Building in Africa  ILO recognizes the enomorous capacity challenges facing Africa in the area of statistical development  In addition to the standard setting, training and dissemination activties, the ILO has, over the last five or so years, supported efforts in three areas:  Development of child labour statistics  Labour market information library (LMIL) network  ACBF-ILO labour market information for poverty monitoring PARIS21 Strategic Statistical Planning Workshop; July 2005: Accra, Ghana

9 Statistical Capacity Building in Africa  The lessons from these interventions is that despite the huge cahllenges Africa faces to address the need for sustainable data collection, analysis and dissmination, the problmes are not completely insurmountable.  What is required is a coherent framework in which resources are moblized, personnel trained and data collection function integrated as part of the monitoring and evaluation sytem for all government undertakings. PARIS21 Strategic Statistical Planning Workshop; July 2005: Accra, Ghana

10 National Strategy for Development of Statistics (NSDS)  NSDS is therefore most relevant in these respects  The ILO recommends that the NSDS should consider the following strategic areas, relating to labour statistics: (a)The national system of labour statistics should be seen as part of the overall national statistical system. The classifications, concepts and definitions, units, etc used in the system of labour statistics should be related to, and consistent with, those used in the statistical systems for education, health, demography/population, industrial production, agriculture, national accounts, etc. PARIS21 Strategic Statistical Planning Workshop; July 2005: Accra, Ghana

11 National Strategy for Development of Statistics (NSDS) b) Each country should develop national standards on these matters and encourage their use in all sectoral statistical systems. These national statistical standards should, to the extent possible, be consistent with international standards for ease of international comparability. (c) Labour statistics systems should build on existing systems, for example by, for example, including labour force questions are included in all household surveys, or statistics on paid employment and wages are included in establishment-based industrial production surveys in order to allow measures of labour productivity. PARIS21 Strategic Statistical Planning Workshop; July 2005: Accra, Ghana

12 National Strategy for Development of Statistics (NSDS) PARIS21 Strategic Statistical Planning Workshop; July 2005: Accra, Ghana (d) Reorganising and strengthening the statistical service, the employment exchanges and agencies responsible for vocational training; (e)Initiating or refreshing the production, dissemination and analysis of labour market statistics and of vocational training (d)Re-invigorating statistical coordination and strengthening the cooperation of assistance by sub-regional organisations and other development partners.

13 Education and Training Statistics Central LMIS Database (MOLSA) Ethiopia SDPRP Monitoring & Evaluation Database Demographic Data (Population, growth rate, labour force, fertility rates, school- going population, etc.) Labour Force Characteristics (Employment, unemployment, underemployment, working conditions, etc.) Labour Laws and Regulations & International Standards Administrative Records (MOLSA) * Job Seekers * Placement, etc. Administrative Records * Govt Personnel Information * Social Security * Employers & Workers Records * Work Permit, etc. CSA MOLSA Ministry of Education & Culture Social Security Fund, MOLSA, EEF, CETU, and Immigration (Work Permit) Civil Service Commission * Enrolment Rates (education system) * Training Courses at various levels * Technical & Vocational Training * Outputs from Tertiary Institutions by skills level. CSA Central Statistical Authority (CSA) Labour Market Information System (LMIS): A Framework for a Coordinated and All-inclusive Approach _________________________________________________________________