PSA conducts April 2015 Labor Force Survey

CITY of BALANGA, Bataan – The Philippine Statistics Authority Bataan (PSA) is conducting the April 2015 Labor Force Survey (LFS), which is a nationwide quarterly survey designed to measure labor force and employment characteristics from April 8-31, 2015.

The PSA staff will enumerate 17 barangays from Abucay (Capitangan), Balanga (Cabog-cabog and Tenejero), Dinalupihan (Luacan, Naparing and New San Jose), Hermosa (A. Rivera, Mabuco, San Pedro and Sumalo), Mariveles (Alion, Balon Anito, Cabcaben and Poblacion), Morong (Poblacion), Orani (Puksuan) and Pilar (Alauli) through a house-to house visit to sample establishments during the enumeration period.The third level training for the field staff was held at PSA Conference Room, Balanga City, Bataan last April 6, 2015.

Provincial Statistics Officer Ledesma L. Morante hopes for a better response rate in this round with the help of information campaign such as hanging of streamer and coordination with the barangay officials. One importance of LFS is to provide statistics on levels and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment for the country and regions.

The latest result, January 2015 LFS showed that employment rate in the Philippines was estimated at 93.4 percent, which is an increase from 92.5 percent January 2014. Central Luzon reports an estimated 91.5 percent employment rate in January 2015, which also an increase from, 91.2 percent in January 2014.

Labor Force refers to population 15 years old and over who contribute to the production of goods and service in the country, comprising the employed and unemployed. Employed refers to persons who are reported either as at work or with a job or business although not at work. Persons at work are those who did some work, even for an hour during the reference period.

Unemployed refers to persons in the labor force who are reported as 1) without work; and 2) currently available for work and seeking work due to the following reasons: 1) belief that no work is available, or ii) awaiting results of previous job application, or iii) because of temporary illness or disability, or iv) bad weather, or v) waiting for rehire or job recall. Underemployed refers to employed persons who express the desire to have additional hours of work in their present job or an additional job, or have a new job with longer working hours.

Undertaken every January, April, July and October of the year, LFS aims to provide a quantitative framework for the preparation of plans and formulation of policies affecting the labor market.