Labour Force Survey - 2008
Sri Lanka, 2008
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Reference ID
LKA-DCS-LFS-2008-v1.0
Producer(s)
Department of Census and Statistics
Metadata
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Identification
Survey ID Number
LKA-DCS-LFS-2008-v1.0
Title
Labour Force Survey - 2008
Country
| Name | Country code |
|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | LKA |
Study type
Labor Force Survey [hh/lfs]
Series Information
Sri Lanka Labour Force Survey (LFS) was designed to measure the levels and trends of employment, unemployment and labour force in Sri Lanka.
Since 1990, the survey is being conducted quarterly. 2008 is the nineteenth successive year in which the survey has been repeated.
Amongst other figures, Provincial level estimates are taken from the Annual LFS 2007 data file which is a combination of all the four quarterly files processed for the year 2008.
Since 1990, the survey is being conducted quarterly. 2008 is the nineteenth successive year in which the survey has been repeated.
Amongst other figures, Provincial level estimates are taken from the Annual LFS 2007 data file which is a combination of all the four quarterly files processed for the year 2008.
Abstract
The employment/unemployment data are required at very short intervals to monitor the program made in the employment generating policies of the government. To satisfy this need, Sri Lanka Labour Force Survey was designed as a quarterly basis survey to measure the levels and trends of employment, unemployment and labour force in Sri Lanka. Thus the survey is repeated four times each year since the first quarter of 1990.
Key objectives of the survey
- To study the economically active / inactive population.
- To analyze employment by major industry group and employment status.
- To determine unemployment rates by level of education and by age group
- To study the informal sector employment.
- To determine the underemployment rates by sector and by major industries
Key objectives of the survey
- To study the economically active / inactive population.
- To analyze employment by major industry group and employment status.
- To determine unemployment rates by level of education and by age group
- To study the informal sector employment.
- To determine the underemployment rates by sector and by major industries
Kind of Data
Sample survey data [ssd]
Unit of Analysis
Individuals from the population aged 10 years or more
Version
Version Description
v1.0: Full edited dataset, for internal DPD use.
Version Date
2009-10-22
Scope
Notes
The scope of LFS 2008 includes the following key sections:-
1). Identification Information
2). Control Data
3). Personal Information
4). Information on Labour Force
Identification and Personal Information are as follows:-
Identification Information
- Address, Province, District, D.S. Division, G. N. Division, Sector, Name of MC/UC/PS
- Name of Ward/Village/Estate, Census Block Number, Sample Reference Number
- Survey Quarter, Number of households, Name of the Head of the household
- Identifications of Interviewers & Supervising Officers
Personal Information
- Relationship to Head of Household, Gender, Age, Ethnic Group, Religion, Marital Status
- Educational Attainment, Attendance at Schooling or other Educational Institution
- Professional / Technical Training, Persons who are working abroad
1). Identification Information
2). Control Data
3). Personal Information
4). Information on Labour Force
Identification and Personal Information are as follows:-
Identification Information
- Address, Province, District, D.S. Division, G. N. Division, Sector, Name of MC/UC/PS
- Name of Ward/Village/Estate, Census Block Number, Sample Reference Number
- Survey Quarter, Number of households, Name of the Head of the household
- Identifications of Interviewers & Supervising Officers
Personal Information
- Relationship to Head of Household, Gender, Age, Ethnic Group, Religion, Marital Status
- Educational Attainment, Attendance at Schooling or other Educational Institution
- Professional / Technical Training, Persons who are working abroad
Topics
| Topic | Vocabulary | URI |
|---|---|---|
| LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT [3] | CESSDA | Link |
Coverage
Geographic Coverage
National coverage. [Excluding the Northern Provinces]
This survey covered persons living in housing units only
and, it excludes the institutional population.
This survey covered persons living in housing units only
and, it excludes the institutional population.
Universe
Working age population (10 years and above) living in the non-institutional households in Sri Lanka
Producers and sponsors
Primary investigators
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Department of Census and Statistics | Ministry of Finance and Planning |
Funding Agency/Sponsor
| Name | Abbreviation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Census and Statistics | DCS | Source of funds |
Other Identifications/Acknowledgments
Sampling
Sampling Procedure
2.1 Sampling plan and the sampling frame
A two stage stratified sampling procedure was adopted to select a sample of 22,500 housing units to be enumerated in the survey. The master sampling frame prepared for 2001 Census of Population and Housing was used as the sampling frame for the selection of sample for the labour force survey 2008.
2.2 Sample size
The quarterly survey was conducted since 1990 using a sample of 2,000 housing units per quarter in areas other than North and East, and the sample size was increased to 4,000 housing units per quarter in 1996 and continued thereafter. However, in 1992 and 1997, an annual sample of 20,000 housing units was selected to give reliable estimates of district level. In 2004 again 20,000
housing units were selected for the survey. However, in order to provide district level estimates precisely, it was decided to use 20,000 - 25,000 housing units as the annual sample from 2006. As such, in 2008, the annual sample of 22,500 housing units were selected.
2.3 Sample Allocation
Allocation of 2,250 Primary Sampling Units (PSU’s) for the districts and sectors were done using the Neymann Allocation procedure which considers the variance of unemployment rate as usually. The allocated sample for each district then equally distributed among the 12 monthly rounds. Table 1 gives the sample distributions by district for year 2008.
Table 1: Sample allocation by district - 2008
District Housing District Housing
Units Units
Total 22,500 Mullaitivu 380
Colombo 2,170 Kilinochchi 390
Gampaha 1,920 Batticaloa 550
Kalutara 1,210 Ampara 900
Kandy 1,400 Trincomalee 390
Matale 610 Kurunegala 1,680
Nuwara Eliya 600 Puttalam 840
Galle 1,200 Anuradhapura 960
Matara 970 Polonnaruwa 500
Hambantota 840 Badulla 860
Jaffna 720 Moneragala 550
Mannar 390 Ratnapura 1,160
Vavuniya 390 Kegalle 950
2.4 Selection of Primary Sampling Units (PSU)
Primary sampling units are the census blocks prepared for the Census of Population and Housing - 2001. The sample frame, which is a collection of all census blocks in the domain, was used for the selection of primary sampling units. A sample of 2,250 primary sampling units was selected from the sampling frame for the 2008 labour force survey.
2.5 Selection of Secondary Sampling Units (SSU)
Secondary Sampling Units are the housing units in the selected 2,250 primary sampling units (census blocks). From each primary sampling unit 10 housing units (SSU) were selected for the survey.
A two stage stratified sampling procedure was adopted to select a sample of 22,500 housing units to be enumerated in the survey. The master sampling frame prepared for 2001 Census of Population and Housing was used as the sampling frame for the selection of sample for the labour force survey 2008.
2.2 Sample size
The quarterly survey was conducted since 1990 using a sample of 2,000 housing units per quarter in areas other than North and East, and the sample size was increased to 4,000 housing units per quarter in 1996 and continued thereafter. However, in 1992 and 1997, an annual sample of 20,000 housing units was selected to give reliable estimates of district level. In 2004 again 20,000
housing units were selected for the survey. However, in order to provide district level estimates precisely, it was decided to use 20,000 - 25,000 housing units as the annual sample from 2006. As such, in 2008, the annual sample of 22,500 housing units were selected.
2.3 Sample Allocation
Allocation of 2,250 Primary Sampling Units (PSU’s) for the districts and sectors were done using the Neymann Allocation procedure which considers the variance of unemployment rate as usually. The allocated sample for each district then equally distributed among the 12 monthly rounds. Table 1 gives the sample distributions by district for year 2008.
Table 1: Sample allocation by district - 2008
District Housing District Housing
Units Units
Total 22,500 Mullaitivu 380
Colombo 2,170 Kilinochchi 390
Gampaha 1,920 Batticaloa 550
Kalutara 1,210 Ampara 900
Kandy 1,400 Trincomalee 390
Matale 610 Kurunegala 1,680
Nuwara Eliya 600 Puttalam 840
Galle 1,200 Anuradhapura 960
Matara 970 Polonnaruwa 500
Hambantota 840 Badulla 860
Jaffna 720 Moneragala 550
Mannar 390 Ratnapura 1,160
Vavuniya 390 Kegalle 950
2.4 Selection of Primary Sampling Units (PSU)
Primary sampling units are the census blocks prepared for the Census of Population and Housing - 2001. The sample frame, which is a collection of all census blocks in the domain, was used for the selection of primary sampling units. A sample of 2,250 primary sampling units was selected from the sampling frame for the 2008 labour force survey.
2.5 Selection of Secondary Sampling Units (SSU)
Secondary Sampling Units are the housing units in the selected 2,250 primary sampling units (census blocks). From each primary sampling unit 10 housing units (SSU) were selected for the survey.
Deviations from the Sample Design
The field work of the survey for the year 2008 was done in all twelve months in 2008. However, in 2008,
even though it was planned to conduct the labour force survey in Northern and Eastern provinces, the
survey could not be conducted properly in Northern province to prevailing conditions. In year 2008 the
survey was carried out in Eastern province successfully. Therefore, this report is based on a
annual sample of 20,260 housing units, excluding only Northern province providing national,
provincial and district level estimates with a stipulated standard errors of labour force
characteristics as reported in the relevant reference periods of each 12 months of the year 2008.
This survey covers persons living in housing units only and, it excludes the institutional population.
even though it was planned to conduct the labour force survey in Northern and Eastern provinces, the
survey could not be conducted properly in Northern province to prevailing conditions. In year 2008 the
survey was carried out in Eastern province successfully. Therefore, this report is based on a
annual sample of 20,260 housing units, excluding only Northern province providing national,
provincial and district level estimates with a stipulated standard errors of labour force
characteristics as reported in the relevant reference periods of each 12 months of the year 2008.
This survey covers persons living in housing units only and, it excludes the institutional population.
Data Collection
Dates of Data Collection
| Start | End | Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| 2008-01-01 | 2008-12-31 | 12 months |
Data Collection Mode
Face-to-face [f2f]
Supervision
Field supervision
Senior officers of the DCS visited the Districts to check whether enumerators have done their work properly. These supervising officers were expected to submit their reports to the heads of the relevant divisions based on their observations.
Senior officers of the DCS visited the Districts to check whether enumerators have done their work properly. These supervising officers were expected to submit their reports to the heads of the relevant divisions based on their observations.
Data Collection Notes
Field Work
The field work of the survey for the year 2008 was done in all 12 months from January to December 2008.
Listing operation was also staggered over a period of12 months starting from November 2007 to October 2008.
For each primary sampling unit, updating was done, about two months prior to the scheduled interviewing.
As such, for example, the census blocks which were surveyed in April, were updated in February.
Statistical officers of the DCS were involved in the listing operation prior to the survey and also in the
survey data collection operation. Each statistical officer is responsible for doing all statistical
activities in a Divisional Secretariat division to which she/he is attached.
These officers were given a through training before they were entrusted with the survey operations.
A deputy director/Statistician is attached to each district kachcheri as in-charge of statistical activities
in that district.
The field work of the survey for the year 2008 was done in all 12 months from January to December 2008.
Listing operation was also staggered over a period of12 months starting from November 2007 to October 2008.
For each primary sampling unit, updating was done, about two months prior to the scheduled interviewing.
As such, for example, the census blocks which were surveyed in April, were updated in February.
Statistical officers of the DCS were involved in the listing operation prior to the survey and also in the
survey data collection operation. Each statistical officer is responsible for doing all statistical
activities in a Divisional Secretariat division to which she/he is attached.
These officers were given a through training before they were entrusted with the survey operations.
A deputy director/Statistician is attached to each district kachcheri as in-charge of statistical activities
in that district.
Data Collectors
| Name | Abbreviation | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Census and Statistics | DCS | Ministry of Finance and Planning |
Questionnaires
Questionnaires
Survey Schedule
Current survey concepts and methods are very similar to those introduced at the beginning of the survey in 1990. However, some changes have been made over the years to improve the accuracy and usefulness of the data.
Beginning in January 2006, some significant improvements(1) were made to the labour force survey schedule in order to fulfill the requirements of it’s users and also to provide additional information for the planning purposes. This was done after carefully reviewing of the LFS schedule with the technical assistance provided by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Adviser. The revision was made focusing on literacy, household economic activities, informal sector employment and underemployment etc.
This revised version was introduced for the survey conducted in 2006 first quarter, and it will be used in future as well.
Current survey concepts and methods are very similar to those introduced at the beginning of the survey in 1990. However, some changes have been made over the years to improve the accuracy and usefulness of the data.
Beginning in January 2006, some significant improvements(1) were made to the labour force survey schedule in order to fulfill the requirements of it’s users and also to provide additional information for the planning purposes. This was done after carefully reviewing of the LFS schedule with the technical assistance provided by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Adviser. The revision was made focusing on literacy, household economic activities, informal sector employment and underemployment etc.
This revised version was introduced for the survey conducted in 2006 first quarter, and it will be used in future as well.
Data Processing
Other Processing
Data was processed by district -wise batches and stored in seperate files.
Data processing included the following steps.
1. Counting and accepting the filled questionnairs by the DP Division
2. Do a visual check for completeness
3. Preliminary editing and marking codes
4. Entry of data
5. Run edit program for each District batch
6. Produce error report and return to the Survey office
7. Correction of errors on the report
8. Change incorrect data using the corrected error report
9. Re-run the edit program and repeat the error correction procedure
10. Produce final report on clean data with a backup of clean data.
After all baches are processed, all data files were combined together and then the following steps are completed for all data files:
11) Re-coding of variables needed for analysis
12) Adding of sample weights
13) Tabulations
Data processing included the following steps.
1. Counting and accepting the filled questionnairs by the DP Division
2. Do a visual check for completeness
3. Preliminary editing and marking codes
4. Entry of data
5. Run edit program for each District batch
6. Produce error report and return to the Survey office
7. Correction of errors on the report
8. Change incorrect data using the corrected error report
9. Re-run the edit program and repeat the error correction procedure
10. Produce final report on clean data with a backup of clean data.
After all baches are processed, all data files were combined together and then the following steps are completed for all data files:
11) Re-coding of variables needed for analysis
12) Adding of sample weights
13) Tabulations
Data Appraisal
Estimates of Sampling Error
The estimation procedure is given in the section 2.6 in the Annual Report.
The Annual Report is attched in the External Resources Section.
The Annual Report is attched in the External Resources Section.
Data Appraisal
The adjustments for non-response is given in the section 2.7 in the Annual Report.
The Annual Report is attched in the External Resources Section.
The Annual Report is attched in the External Resources Section.
Access policy
Contacts
| Name | Affiliation | URL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information Unit | Department of Census & Statistics | information@statistic.gov.lk | http//:www.statistics.gov.lk |
| Sample Survey Division | Department of Census & Statistics | sample.survey@statistic.gov.lk | http//:www.statistics.gov.lk |
Confidentiality
Under the Statistical ordinance, micro data cannot be released with identifications for public use. Procedures are in place to ensure that information relating to any particular individual person, household or undertaking will be kept strictly confidential and will not be divulged to external parties. Information on individual or individual Household/establishment will not be divulged or published in such a form that will facilitate the identification of any particular person or establishment as the data have been collected under the Census/Statistical ordinance, according to which the information at individual level cannot be divulged and such information is strictly confidential.
Access conditions
The dataset has been anonymized and is available as a Public Use Dataset. It is accessible to all for statistical and research purposes only, under the following terms and conditions:
1. The data and other materials will not be redistributed or sold to other individuals, institutions, or organizations without the written agreement.
2. The data will be used for statistical and scientific research purposes only. They will be used solely for reporting of aggregated information, and not for investigation of specific individuals or organizations.
3. No attempt will be made to re-identify respondents, and no use will be made of the identity of any person or establishment discovered inadvertently.
4. No attempt will be made to produce links among datasets provided by the Department or among data from the Department and other datasets that could identify individuals or organizations.
5. Any books, articles, conference papers, theses, dissertations, reports, or other publications that employ data obtained from the Department will cite the source of data in accordance with the Citation Requirement provided with each dataset.
6. An electronic copy of all reports and publications based on the requested data will be sent to the Department
The following rules apply to micro data released by the Department of Census and Statistics.
• Only the requests of Government Institutions, Recognized Universities, Students, and selected international agencies are entertained. However, the Data users are required to strictly adhere to
the terms stipulated in the agreement form.
• All the data requests should be made to Director General (DG) of the DCS as the sole authority of releasing data is vested with the DG, DCS. DCS of Sri Lanka reserves sole right to approve or reject any data request made depending on the confidential nature of the data set and intended purpose of the study or analysis.
• Requests for micro data should be made through the agreement form designed by DCS for this purpose (Form D.R.1). The agreement form should be filled in triplicate and the Study/project proposal should accompany the filled agreement form. If requests are made for the micro data of more than one survey, a separate agreement should be signed.
• If the data request is from a student a letter from the respective Dept. Head/Dean/Supervisor, recommending the issue of data, should also be accompanied.
• If the request is approved only 25% of the data file is released at the first stage. The release of the total data file is considered only after reviewing the draft report prepared on the basis of the 25% sample data file.
1. The data and other materials will not be redistributed or sold to other individuals, institutions, or organizations without the written agreement.
2. The data will be used for statistical and scientific research purposes only. They will be used solely for reporting of aggregated information, and not for investigation of specific individuals or organizations.
3. No attempt will be made to re-identify respondents, and no use will be made of the identity of any person or establishment discovered inadvertently.
4. No attempt will be made to produce links among datasets provided by the Department or among data from the Department and other datasets that could identify individuals or organizations.
5. Any books, articles, conference papers, theses, dissertations, reports, or other publications that employ data obtained from the Department will cite the source of data in accordance with the Citation Requirement provided with each dataset.
6. An electronic copy of all reports and publications based on the requested data will be sent to the Department
The following rules apply to micro data released by the Department of Census and Statistics.
• Only the requests of Government Institutions, Recognized Universities, Students, and selected international agencies are entertained. However, the Data users are required to strictly adhere to
the terms stipulated in the agreement form.
• All the data requests should be made to Director General (DG) of the DCS as the sole authority of releasing data is vested with the DG, DCS. DCS of Sri Lanka reserves sole right to approve or reject any data request made depending on the confidential nature of the data set and intended purpose of the study or analysis.
• Requests for micro data should be made through the agreement form designed by DCS for this purpose (Form D.R.1). The agreement form should be filled in triplicate and the Study/project proposal should accompany the filled agreement form. If requests are made for the micro data of more than one survey, a separate agreement should be signed.
• If the data request is from a student a letter from the respective Dept. Head/Dean/Supervisor, recommending the issue of data, should also be accompanied.
• If the request is approved only 25% of the data file is released at the first stage. The release of the total data file is considered only after reviewing the draft report prepared on the basis of the 25% sample data file.
Citation requirements
"Department of Census and Statistics, Sri Lanka Labour Force Survey - 2008 [LFS 2008], Version 1.0 of the public use dataset (October 2009), provided by the National Data Archive, Data Processing Division, www.statistics.gov.lk"
Access authority
| Name | Affiliation | URL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Director General | Department of Census and Statistics | dgcensus@sltnet.lk | http//:www.statistics.gov.lk |
Disclaimer and copyrights
Disclaimer
The Department of Census and Satatistics bears no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the secondary use of the data.
Copyright
(C) 2008, Department of Census and Statistics
Metadata production
DDI Document ID
DDI-LKA-DCS-LFS-2009-v1.0
Producers
| Name | Abbreviation | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Census and Statistics | DCS | Minstry of Finance & Planning | Data Collection |
Date of Metadata Production
2009-10-22
DDI Document version
Version 1.0 ( October 2009 ).