The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), Field Operations Division (FOD), Jammu, recently organized a training conference on the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) and the importance of labour force data. The conference was held at Hotel Country Inn and aimed to provide training to the officers and field staff of NSSO.
The PLFS was launched by NSSO in April 2017 to ensure the availability of more frequent labor force data. The survey aims to estimate key employment and unemployment indicators, such as the Worker Population Ratio, Labour Force Participation Rate, and Unemployment Rate, within a short time interval of three months for urban areas. Additionally, the PLFS aims to estimate employment and unemployment indicators on both usual status and Current Weekly Status in both rural and urban areas annually.
The training conference began with a welcome address by R. K. Sharma, Assistant Director of NSSO (FOD). The conference was inaugurated by Kishore Kumar, Deputy Director General of NSSO (FOD) UT of J&K. Kumar highlighted the significance of the PLFS in providing primary statistics on the labor force, population activity participation, and employment structure. These statistics play a critical role in planning, policy-making, and decision-making at various levels.
The field staff received training from R.K Sharma, Assistant Director, Sunil K. Khar, Senior Statistical Officer, and Naresh Kumar, Senior Statistical Officer from NSSO (FOD) RO Jammu. The training focused on imparting knowledge and skills related to PLFS, while overall coordination and comparing were handled by Sunil K. Khar.
The training conference concluded with a vote of thanks presented by Neeta Sharma, Senior Statistical Officer of NSSO (FOD), RO Jammu.
The PLFS serves as an essential source of data for analyzing the labor market and is widely used by researchers, policymakers, and decision-makers. The training conference organized by NSSO (FOD), Jammu, reinforces the commitment to ensure a well-trained and skilled workforce capable of gathering accurate and timely labor force data. By enhancing the understanding and proficiency of the field staff, the NSSO aims to provide valuable and reliable information for effective planning and policymaking.
This training conference is a step towards strengthening the statistical infrastructure of the country and improving the availability of labor force data. By equipping the officers and staff of NSSO with the necessary skills and knowledge, the PLFS can continue to provide valuable insights into the state of employment and unemployment in both rural and urban areas. This, in turn, will contribute to evidence-based decision-making and support the development and implementation of effective labor policies.
The NSSO’s training conference serves as an example of the commitment to excellence and continuous improvement in the field of statistical data collection. Through such initiatives, the NSSO strives to bridge the gap between data availability and policymaking, enabling informed decisions that positively impact the labor market and the overall economy.
The success of the PLFS relies not only on the accuracy of the data collected but also on the competence of the field staff responsible for conducting the surveys. The training provided during the conference ensures that the field staff is well-equipped to handle the complexities of data collection, thereby guaranteeing the reliability and validity of the labor force statistics generated through the PLFS.
Moving forward, it is crucial for organizations and institutions involved in data collection, such as NSSO, to continue investing in training and development programs to enhance the skills and capabilities of their workforce. By doing so, they can maintain the quality and integrity of the data they collect, allowing for informed decision-making and evidence-based policy formulation.
The training conference organized by NSSO (FOD), Jammu, stands as a testament to their commitment to excellence in statistical data collection and reinforces their dedication to providing accurate and reliable labor force statistics. Through the PLFS and similar initiatives, NSSO aims to contribute to the development of robust labor policies and foster a favorable environment for economic growth and social welfare.
