Within the framework of its Statistical Capacity Building (StatCaB) Programme, SESRIC organised a Statistical Training Course on “Labour Statistics” on 20-21 May 2026 through an online video conferencing platform. The training course was organised in collaboration with the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) with a view to strengthening the capacities of OIC Member Countries in producing reliable, timely and policy-relevant labour market statistics.

The course brought together 82 participants from National Statistical Offices (NSOs) and relevant ministries of 27 OIC Member Countries, reflecting the continued interest of national statistical systems in enhancing the quality, comparability and use of labour statistics for evidence-based policymaking.

The course was delivered by Mr. Shaukat Ali Khan, Deputy Director General; Mr. Muhammad Farakh Jalees, Director; Mr. Muhammad Najeeb Ullah, Chief Statistical Officer; and Ms. Rabia Liaquat, Statistical Officer, from the Labour Force Statistics Division of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. 

The main objective of the training course was to enhance the capacities of the participants in the collection, compilation, processing, analysis and dissemination of labour statistics, while facilitating the sharing of Pakistan’s relevant country experience with the participating OIC Member Countries. The course also provided an opportunity for peer learning and exchange of national experiences on conceptual, methodological and operational aspects of labour statistics.

The training course also contributed to the implementation of the OIC-StatCom Strategic Vision for 2030 and its Programme of Action for 2026–2030, particularly in relation to strengthening national statistical systems, enhancing statistical capacity, and promoting knowledge exchange among OIC Member Countries.

The training course covered the following topics:

• Importance of labour statistics for evidence-based labour market policies and planning
• Overview of the Labour Force Survey (LFS) in Pakistan, including its scope, periodicity and institutional arrangements
• Data collection modalities and related operational considerations, including face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews and digital tools
• Concepts and definitions of employment based on relevant international statistical standards and the PBS Labour Force Survey methodology
• Identification and classification of employed persons in line with Labour Force Survey criteria
• Measurement approaches relating to digital labour platforms and emerging forms of work
• Concepts and measurement of time-related underemployment within the broader framework of labour underutilization
• Concept of the potential labour force and its relevance for labour market analysis and policymaking

For more information on the SESRIC Statistical Capacity Building (StatCaB) Programme, please visit: http://www.oicstatcom.org/statcab.php