The Philippine Statistical System (PSS) is currently reviewing the existing definition of unemployment to consider possible improvements in accordance with international standards. This activity is being spearheaded by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), the Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLES) and the National Statistics Office (NSO) through the Interagency Committee on Labor, Income and Productivity Statistics (IACLIPS) and its Technical Working Group on Labor and Employment Statistics (TWGLES).

The International Labor Organization (ILO) defines the unemployed as one who is 1) without work, 2) currently available for work, and 3) seeking work. The definition adopted by the PSS is also based on the ILO definition, but does not include the second criterion and provides for relaxation of the third criterion. Aside from the Philippines, the third criterion is also partially relaxed in the national labor force surveys of other countries, such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia in the ASEAN region.

Concerns have been raised, however, regarding the validity of the existing PSS definition. Towards improving the definition, a series of IACLIPS-TWGLES meetings have been held. An action plan to address the matter was also drawn by the group and was consequently approved by the NSCB Executive Board on 12 December 2003. A consultation with an ILO labor expert was conducted to gather sufficient information for the review process.

The review process includes a revision of the Labor Force Survey (LFS) questionnaire, a pilot test of the revised questionnaire during the January 2004 LFS round, processing and analysis of pre-test results, consultation with labor experts, presentation of recommendations to the Board, and finally, a users’ forum in June 2004. The new definition is expected to be implemented in the July 2004 round of the LFS.

For inquiries please contact, Ms. Redencion M. Ignacio at telephone numbered (632) 896-5390 or e-mail address rm.ignacio@nscb.gov.ph.

ROMULO A. VIROLA
Secretary General