Introduction
First: Scope
Second: Design
Third: Organization
Fourth: Data collection
Fifth: Disaggregation
Sixth: Revision
Seventh: Publication
Eighth: Evaluation
Ninth: Management

 

 

Introduction: 

GASTAT implements all its statistical works in accordance with a unified methodology that compile with the nature of each statistical product. It relies on the Manual of the Statistical Procedures which conforms with the procedures adopted by the international organizations. The statistical product goes through eight connected stages, in addition to a ninth stage (the comprehensive "management" stage), which are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first three stages: (Scope, design, and organization) are collaborative stages between GASTAT and its clients from the different developmental entities. However, the fourth stage (Data collection) is a collaborative stage between GASTAT and the statistical community either households or establishments, in order to complete data and information. On the other hands, the rest of the stages are considered statistical stages carried out by GASTAT, including (Disaggregation, revision, and publication). After that, the eighth stage (Evaluation) is done through collaboration with clients again, whereas the (Management) stage is an administrative and organizational stage the is connected with all stages. These stages have been applied on the labor market statistics as follows:

 

 

First stage: The scope:

The first step in the process of producing (Labor Market Statistics), it is also the first collaborative stage between GASTAT and the labor market group which includes (Ministry of Human resources and Social Development, and General Organization of Social Insurances, and Human Resources Development Fund) in addition to the National Information Center, private sector, and the academic sector. Many workshops and meeting have been held between GASTAT and these organizations to understand their needs and requirements as they are considered data providers and users at the same time.

The feedback of these organization has been taken into consideration to assure the achievement of all Labor Market Statistics’’ objectives which can be summarized in:

1. supporting decision and policy makers, researchers, and those who are interested in getting up-to-date and comprehensive statistics related to the labor market in Saudi Arabia.
2. Empowering Public and private sectors to investigate the labor market changes and get use of them.
3. Providing the academic sectors with the requirements of social and economic studies and research.
4. Providing up-to-date statistics on:
   • Unemployment rate according to many variables.
   • Unemployed individuals and labor force according to many variables.
   • Workers according to many variables.
   • Labor Force Participation rate, and employment.
   • Average wages and average working hours.
   • Job seeking method, period of unemployment, and previous work and training experiences.

In this stage, we should make sure that all published statistics contribute in meeting the requirements of Saudi Vision 2030. They also must cover the regional requirements such as the requirements of GCC-STAT, and other international requirements represented in (ILO)

 

Second stage: The design: 

The stage of designing the statistical work as it is considered a whole product. Through this stage, the statistical community is determined, statistical framework, survey sample, and questionnaire are designed, methods and tools of data collection are identified, and sampling units are specified. Clients collaborate in all these procedures to benefit from their feedbacks, so that all requirements can be achieved within the statistical product.

The most important outputs of this stage are:

1.Statistical community: 

Statistical community of labor market statistics consists of all individuals (Saudis and non-Saudis) who habitually live in Saudi Arabia.

 

2. Statistics sources:

Labor market statistics’ data are based on two main sources in order to provide comprehensive information on Saudi labor market. They include statistics from the household telephone survey (Labor Force Survey) which GASTAT conducts quarterly. They also include quarterly data from administrative records of related governmental entities. Therefore, GASTAT can calculate its indicators and release them along with the household survey survey’ indicators within the Labor Market Statistics Bulletin.

2.1. First source of labour market statistics: Labour Force Survey

It is a household telephone survey conducted by GASTAT under the (social statistics) category. Information is collected by contacting a sample of households from all administrative regions of Saudi Arabia. In addition to completing an electronic questionnaire that includes a number of questions. This survey provides estimates and indicators of population’ labor force (15 years and above) who live in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, it includes estimates population (inside labor force and outside it), and key indicators of labor market Such as the unemployment rate and the labor force participation rate.

 

2.2. Second source of labour market statistics: Administrative records

Recorded and updated data and information of governmental entities that are related to labor market. These data are resulted from the official electronic registration and documentation operations of these entities. Ministry of Human resources and Social Development, General Organization of Social Insurances, and the National Information Center periodically provide GASTAT with their recorded data through the electronic linkage, as these entities are considered key references of workers’ data in both the public and private sectors, in addition to the data of job seekers in Saudi Arabia.

The following table shows the type of data provided by each entity from the labor market statistics
sources:

Data source	Entity	Data and indicators
Household Telephone Survey	GASTAT	Estimates of labor force, unemployed individuals, and indicators of labor force
Administrative records	Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development	Government sector’ workers and Private sector visas.
	General Organization of Social Insurance	Participants on the job who are subject to social insurance laws and regulations in the private and government sector, and those who stop participating in social insurance in the quarter according to gender, nationality, and reason for stoppage
	National Information Center	Data of job seekers in the public and private sectors from the data of (Jadara and Sa’ed) in the  Ministry of Human resources and Social Development  at (Taqat) portal of the HRDF, the government sector and individuals’ visas, and the numbers of domestic workers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Terminologies and concepts of labour market statistics 

3.1. Terminologies and concepts of the Labour Force Survey (First source of labour market statistics)

3.1.1. Survey’ statistical framework

Comprehensive manual of all statistical community units. It relies on Census 2010, and has been updated in quarter 1 of 2018.

 

3.1.2. Survey sample

A selected sample from the statistical framework in order to conduct Labor Force Survey. This sample includes all household members who share the same dwelling including domestic workers and the like.

 

3.1.3. Household

A person or a group of persons - with or without kinship binding them to one another - who share residence during the enumeration. The household includes:

1. Saudi and non-Saudi nationals who usually live with the household but they were absent while the survey was conducted for being temporarily away (abroad or in the kingdom). For example: businessmen, tourists, people who are travel for medication, students on scholarship beyond the borders of the kingdom.
2. Individuals who usually live with the household but have been absent while the survey was conducted for taking night shifts, such as guards, physicians, nurses, airport staff and fishers.
3. Domestic workers such as servants, drivers and the like who living with the same household

 

3.1.4. Head of household

It refers to the person regarded by the household members as its chief member. Usually, s/he is responsible for undertaking the responsibility of the household and his/her age must not be under (15) years old. If the household consists of children and their mother, and they are cared for by a relative who does not live with them, such a relative shall not be deemed as the head of the household, nor shall s/he be recorded as one of its members, since s/he shall be recorded with his/her own household. In this case, the mother shall be deemed as the head of the household.

 

3.1.5. Main occupation

The main type of occupation practiced by the employee during the reference time

 

3.1.6. Economic activity

All activities performed or services provided by the establishment in return for consideration. Sometimes, the establishment gets nothing in return, such as charities that are financed by donations.

 

3.1.7. Population (outside the labour force):

Population (15 years and above) who are not classified under the labor forces (unemployed) because they do not work, do not seek a job, unable to work, or are not ready to work during the survey reference period. For example: Students, housewives, pensioners who do not work, individuals who are unable to work, individuals who do not want to work and those who do not seek any job for other reasons.

 

3.1.8. Population (labour force):

Individuals (15 years and above) who collaborate or even ready to collaborate in the production of commodities and services during the period of the survey time reference. They include the employed and unemployed population.

 

3.1.9. Unemployed individuals

individuals (15 years and over) who are during the reference period (the previous seven days) to communicate with the family:

• Worked for at least one hour in return for a salary or profit (in cash or in kind) as regular or temporary employees or as employers or working for themselves.
• Or, they assisted a family member for at least an hour, with or without pay, in any type of business or on a farm belonging to a family member.
• Or they were temporarily absent from their work for the whole week due to leave, sickness, or any other reason, and they will return to it again.

The definition includes students, job seekers, retirees, housewives ... etc, who worked during the seven days prior to communicating with the family for at least one hour, noting that this does not include housework such as cooking, washing and washing done by the housewife or household maintenance work. Regular performed by a family member.

 

3.1.10. Unemployed individuals

Individuals (15 years and above) who were:

1. Without a job in the week preceding the household contact.
2.  Seriously looking for work during the four weeks prior to contacting the family (that is, they took at least one method to search for work) and this includes those who did not search for work during the four weeks prior to contacting the family because they were waiting to find work, or establish their own business during The next period, when they previously searched for a job before the reference period.
3. People who were able to work and ready to join whenever necessary during the week preceding the household contact or the next two weeks.

 

 

3.1.11. Previously trained unemployed individuals

Unemployed individuals (15 years and above) who have taken a training course during the time reference (the last 12 months before the survey). 

 

3.1.12. Unemployed individuals who have been working

Unemployed individuals (15 years and above) who had been working then left their jobs for any reason, and during the time reference were: unemployed, seriously seeking a job and ready to get one if any available.

 

3.1.13. Type of sector

A sector is the entity for which the employed person has been working according to the estimates of the labor survey; it is divided into:

1. Governmental: It includes all government agencies; Such as ministries, agencies, government institutions, municipalities, schools, universities and institutes, government hospitals, military sectors, government banks such as (the Social Development Bank and the Agricultural Bank) and development funds.
2. Public business sector: It includes establishments that produce goods or services and whose capital is the property of the state, and under its supervision, such as: (Saudi Airlines, the General Corporation for Railways, and Aramco).
3. Private establishments Sector: Establishments which produce goods or services, have fixed location and legal personality, are owned by one or a group of individuals such as (private companies, malls, private schools and hospitals, as well as commercial banks).
4. Self- employed individuals: Individuals who provide goods and services personally or in cooperation with a group of individuals outside the establishment. They do not have a fixed location such as street vendors, and individuals who deliver goods personally as they do not belong to private companies.
5. Family sector: Includes productive households who work at home for a wage or (money or in-kind) profit.
6. Non-Profit Organizations Sector: Non-governmental non-profit organizations and authorities which provide the community with goods or services for free or at a nominal price, such as charities and vocational authorities.
7.  Domestic Workers Sector: Individuals who provide a household with services for a salary and live with it, such as the female domestic worker, driver, gardener, and building guard who lives with in the household.
8. Sector of regional and international organizations and institutions.
9. Other unclassified sectors.

 

3.1.13.  Indicators’ definitions: 

Indicator	Definition
Unemployment rate	An indicator that measures people who are unemployed at the working-age population (15 +) and who are part of the labor force it is calculated as a ratio of the unemployed to the labor force.
Labour Force Participation rate	An indicator that measures the participation of the working-age population (15 +) in the labor force (as either employed or unemployed individuals). as a ratio of the labor force to the working-age population (15 +).
Employment rate	It is an indicator that measures the participation of the working-age population (15 years and over) in the labor force as employed individuals, which is the ratio of the labor force to employed individuals.
Average weekly working hours	measures the average weekly working hours of workers (15 years and over), which is the total number of working hours to the total number of employees.
Average monthly wage per salaried employees	An indicator that measures the average monthly salary of the employed persons with paid jobs (15 years and above), i.e. total salary to total employed persons with paid jobs.

Indicator	Calculation formula
Labour force	=(number of employed individuals + number of unemployed individuals)
Unemployment rate	=(number of unemployed individuals ÷ total labor force) x 100
Unemployment rate for males	=(number of unemployed males ÷ total labor force of males) x 100
Unemployment rate for females	=(number of unemployed females ÷ total labor force of females) x 100
Employment rate	=(number of employed individuals ÷ total labor force) x 100
Employment rate for males	=(number of employed males ÷ total male labor force) x 100
Employment rate for females	=(number of employed females ÷ total female labor force) x 100
Labour force participation rate	= (total labor force ÷ total population of working- age (15 years and over)) x 100
Labour force participation rate for  males	= (total male labor force ÷ total male population of working-age (15 years and over)) x100
Labour force participation rate for females	= (total female labor force ÷ total female population of working-age (15 years and over)) x100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Based on the international standards that Saudi Arabia is committed to, and applied to the G-20 countries: Indicators of labor Force Participation rate, employment rate, unemployment rate, average weekly working hours, and average monthly wages of employees are all based on the estimates of (the Labor Force Survey), which is a telephone survey conducted by GASTAT through contacting households to complete the survey’s form Data of workers from administrative records have several indicators for labor market, but they are not used statistically to measure employment, unemployment, or labor Force Participation rate. Commitment to these standards will facilitate international comparisons between countries in labor market indicators

 

 

 

 

 

3.2 concepts related to administrative records available at government agencies (the second source of Labor Market statistics):

3.2.1. Workers (based on the administrative records):

All working individuals subjected to approved regulations and laws from the regulatory entities of labor market and are registered in the administrative records. On the other hand, workers can be classified in the administrative records based on the regulations and laws they are subjected to as follows:

• Saudi workers subjected to the laws and regulations of the civil services and working at all governmental institutions and bodies, in other words, workers who hold jobs that are considered within the general budget of the country, also subjected to the civil retirement system (males or females) employees, as well as non-Saudis contractors who fill these positions in accordance the regulations of non-Saudis employment.
• Participants on the job who are subject and regulations of social insurance as well as labor system, which includes Saudis and non-Saudis.
• Domestic workers: non-Saudis workers from both genders who work in houses, including servants, cleaners, cooks, waiters, drivers, guards, nurses, and private teachers.

Data of workers in Labor Market statistics which were derived from administrative records do not include the following category: Workers of military and security sectors Workers who are not registered in the civil service and social insurance records, which include: Saudis working for their own businesses and are not subjected to the labor regulations, also, not registered in social insurance, such as: those who work in delivery through electronic apps  Saudi employers who work in establishments and not registered in the social insurance Non-Saudi staff working in foreign international, political or military missions Non-Saudi employees who come to the Kingdom for work that normally takes less than three months to be completed.

 

 

 

 

 

4. Used statistical classifications:

Classification is identified as an organized group of related categories which are used to collect data according to similarity. Classification is the base for data collection and dissemination in various statistical fields, such as: (economic activity, products, expenses, occupations or health…. etc). classifying data and information helps to put them in meaningful categories to produce useful statistics. In fact, data collection requires an accurate organization and based on their common features to create reliable and comparable statistics. On the other hand, labor market statistics are based on the international standards of data collection and classification and rely on the following classifications: 

4.1. The National Classification of the Economic Activities:

It is a statistical classification based on ISIC4 which is the reference of the productive activities. This classification was used in the Labor Force Survey to identify the main economic activities of the establishment where an individual works.   

Economic activity can be defined as (all the practiced activities or works and services provided by the establishment that make a financial return, sometimes the establishment does not gain any financial return from its works as in charity institutions that rely on donations). 

 

4.2. Saudi classification of professions: 

It is a statistical classification which is based on ISCO that provides a system to classify and collect professions’ information where they can be obtained by statistical surveys and census.

This classification is used in the Labor Force Survey in order to classify employees based on their professions.

 

4.3. Saudi classification for majors and educational levels:

It is a statistical classification that is based on ISCED which is the reference for organizing educational programs and related qualifications based on the education levels and fields. It covers all the educational programs, levels and methods of learning as well as all the educational stages from kindergarten until higher education. This classification is used in the Labor Force Survey to classify individuals 15 years and above according to their majors and education levels.

 

4.4. National guide for countries and nationalities: 

It is an international and unified classification that covers countries and their affiliated territories, and based on ISO (country code 3166). The classification gives codes to countries and their affiliated territories. Using these codes and numbers instead of the country name is more beneficial for statistical purposes in which it saves time and avoids any errors. The classification is used in the Labor Force Survey to classify Saudi or non-Saudi individuals. 

 

5. Form design: 

Form of telephone data collection (first source of Labor Market statistics): the survey’s form was prepared and designed by labor force survey specialists in the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). When designing the form, the international recommendations and standards issued by the International Labor Organization (ILO) of labor force surveys were taken into consideration. The form was presented to the ILO experts during their visit to the Authority and to the relevant bodies as well to consider their feedback and observations. The questions were formed in a specified and unified way between researchers.

The form was divided into five sections based on the topic to increase its efficiency in achieving the technical specifications of the data collection
Result of the contact	Job search and availability to work (unemployed individuals 15 years and over)	Economic data of individuals (15 years and over)	Characteristics of household individuals (all household individuals)	Introductory data
Examples of what was included in the form of the Labor Force Survey (the first source of the labor market statistics):
Name of the individual, gender, relationship with the head of the household, nationality, age, marital status, educational status, specialization for holders of secondary education and above, The workers and those absent from work during the week preceding the contact with the family, job seekers, method of job seeking, reasons of not looking for a job, duration of job seeking, the availability of work, the reasons of work unavailability, type of training, duration of the training, the sponsor, previous work experience, reasons for leaving the previous job, occupation, name of the employer, type of sector, economic activity, monthly net per employed capita, pension system of employed Saudis, number of main working hours and the other working hours during the reference week, if the individual has another work in addition to his main work, and work contract.
The full form can be viewed and downloaded via the official website of GASTAT https://www.stats.gov.sa/sites/default/files/%E2%80%8F%E2%80%8FLFS%20Questionnaire_q4%202020%20EN%20.pdf

6. Identifying required data from administrative records:

The administrative records data (the second source of the labor market statistics): GASTAT has completed the data of the labor market automatically from government entities. The data includes the main data of employees, job seekers and work visas, as follows:

1. Data from the Ministry of Human resources and Social Development: Including data on employees subjected to Civil Service regulations and policies according to a number of variables. And Including data of work visas for the private sector.
2. Data from GOSI: Including data related to those who are registered and are working, who are subjected to GOSI’s regulations and policies according to a number of variables.
3. Data from the National Information Center: Including data related to work visas for government sector, individuals, and the number of domestic workers.

 

7. Coverage:

7.1. Spatial coverage:

The labor market statistics covers the statistics related to the labor market across all administrative regions in Saudi Arabia, which are 13 regions. The Labor Force Survey (the first source of the labor market statistics) covers the following regions: (Riyadh, Makkah, Madinah, Qassim, Eastern Region, Asir, Tabuk, Hail, Northern Borders, Jazan, Najran, Al-Baha and Al-Jouf). This is done through the contact of a sample of households from each region, which are chosen by a scientific method in order to be a sample representing the households of the region. However, the administrative records data (the second source of the labor market statistics), include the entire Saudi Arabia’s population whose data is documented in the records of relevant government entities. 

 

7.2. Temporal coverage:

The labor force survey data (the first source of the labor market statistics) is based on the number of household members, their demographic, social and economic characteristics, as follows:

1. Data on the number of household members and their demographic characteristics is based on the date of the household contact and inspection.
2. Data of employees is based on the seven days prior to the household contact and inspection.
3. Data of job seekers is based on the four weeks prior to the household contact and inspection, which means the last full four weeks preceding the household contact (from Sunday of the first week to the Saturday of the last week).
4. Data of employment availability is based on the seven days prior to the contact, or the following two weeks (the two weeks following the date of the contact, from Sunday of the first week to Saturday of the second week).
5. Data of enrollment in training programs is based on the seven days prior to the household contact for young people aged (15-39 years).
6. Data on receiving training programs is based on the previous 12 months (the last twelve months prior to the survey month).

The data from administrative records (the second source of the labor market statistics) is based on the last day of the Gregorian quarter of each year.

 

8. Labour Force Survey Statistical framework:

• The 2018 updated framework of the Housing and Population Census (1431H. – 2010) has been used as a list that includes all community particulars.
• The lists, maps and analytical specifications of the units have been developed to select the data providers (households).
•   The required metadata has been identified in order to create the statistical framework and the testing framework, and verify its validity and use for the current survey cycle.2.9. Sample 

 

9. Sample Design:

• The survey community is divided into non-overlapping parts characterized by relative homogeneity in their units. Each part is a layer and each layer is treated as an independent community.
•  A regular sample is drawn from each stratum independently, and in the end all the withdrawn sampling units are merged to form the total sample.
• The sample units were selected from among the statistical frameworks that were designed to cover the target statistical community in two stages. In the first phase, the primary sampling units were chosen, which are the enumeration areas from the framework of the process of counting and numbering buildings and real estate units in 2020, where (1334) areas were selected from The main sample size is (9560) enumeration area distributed among all classes in all administrative regions using the method proportional to size weighting the number of Saudi families in it, then in the second phase the final sampling units were chosen, which are the households in the enumeration areas that were selected in the first phase using Regular random sample of (25) families from each enumeration area, a total of (33,350) families in the Kingdom.
• The optimal methodology to select the sampling units is prepared in order to provide satisfying outputs, with the quality required and the minimum efforts of data providers, by using known statistical methods such as the rotation and interference control methods.
• The required metadata to apply the statistical framework and select the sample is identified.
• The sample is tested and evaluated, and its validity and use for the current survey cycle is verified.

Sample units in the Labor Force Survey: The primary sample unit is the enumeration areas, which are the sample units that were taken in the first stage from the sample design. The (households) are the secondary and final sample units, which are sample units that were taken in the second stage of the sample design, and each secondary sample unit is considered a part of the primary sample unit.

 

 

Third stage: Organization:

It is the last stage of the preparation that precedes the process of household contacts and data collection. The work procedures required for the preparation of the labor market statistics have been prepared in this stage. It will begin from the next stage "collection stage" and will end with the “assessment stage”. In addition, the procedures are organized and collected and its appropriate order is determined in order to reach a methodology that achieves the objectives of the labor market statistics. At this stage, the procedures that were done in the preparation of the previous version of the labor market statistics were reviewed to develop the work procedures in this version. These procedures were also described and documented to facilitate the updates in the future cycles. Furthermore, the statistical work procedures were tried and tested to ensure that they meet the requirements of the preparation of the labor market statistics in its final form. Then, the procedures of the statistical work are approved, and the road map of the implementation is developed.

Testing the efficiency of input systems and the process of transmission, synchronization and review of data, which is carried out through tablets or desktops of the labor force survey, is one of the most important procedures at this stage.

 

 Fourth Stage: Collection:

4.1. Labour Force Survey data collection (the first source of the labour market statistics):

First: The sample is selected by identifying (33350) households as a chosen sample to represent the survey community at the level of Saudi Arabia, distributed according to the administrative regions as follows: 

 

 

 

Second: The candidates working as researchers, who contacted the households to collect data (Labor Force Survey), were selected according to a number of practical and objective criteria related to the nature of work, such as:

• Education level.
• Previous experience in labor force survey
• Personal qualities, such as: good conduct, medical and psychological fitness with no sensory disability.
• The candidate must pass the training program of the Labor Force Survey.
• Not less than 20 years old.

 

Third: All candidates (employees of the authority, collaborators from employees of some government agencies) were qualified and trained to work in collecting survey data through special training programs, according to the following:

• Holding a training program for researchers that included providing guidance and awareness lectures, during which the instruction manual is explained, the survey objectives and data collection method are defined, and a detailed explanation of all the questionnaire questions.
• Conducting a practical application on how to complete the online survey form.

The performance of the researchers was also tested during the training, their performance was evaluated, and the extent of their understanding of the questionnaire was verified before starting the communication and data collection process.

The training programs that have been provided to researchers assigned to all manpower survey data include: practical and practical lectures on the technical, technical, administrative and awareness materials used in the data collection processes. Researchers are also introduced to the survey objectives and data collection method. The training programs also include a detailed explanation of all the questionnaire questions, and the technical tasks, and administrative, as well as training on methods of communicating with data providers and how to submit questions in record time.

 

 

 

Fourth: Direct contact with the household in the process of completing the survey questionnaire and data collection: Each researcher contacted the households within the sample of the survey,The method of direct contact with the family was adopted in the process of completing the survey questionnaire and collecting data, whereby the researchers in charge of this process make a phone call to the heads of the households, and then the researcher introduces himself, clarifies his goal of communication, gives an overview of the survey and its objectives, and takes permission to complete the required data directly using the form Electronic workforce survey, and the survey questionnaire data are completed based on the specified time reference,To download and transfer the updated data for the family directly to the database and store it in preparation for review and processing.

 

Fifth: All Researchers used Laptops to complete survey questionnaire data based on the time reference specified according to the number of household members and their demographic, social and economic characteristics.

 

Sixth: upload and transfer the household data directly to the database associated with it at the headquarters of GASTAT, where it is stored in a specific format for review and subsequent processing.

 

Seventh: (Auditing rules) are applied to ensure the consistency, accuracy and logic of the data on the Labor Force Survey questionnaire. This is done through an (electronic bases that detect the discrepancy of answers). These bases were built by linking the logical relationship between the answers of the questionnaire and its variables to help the researcher to detect any error directly when completing data with the household. These bases will not allow the passing of errors if the answer conflicts with another information or answer in the questionnaire.

 

Eighth: The data collected was verified by reviewing the data through the same researcher, his inspector and the supervisor on the survey in the supervision area. All the work areas were subjected to a process of monitoring and reviewing from the data quality team at the headquarters of GASTAT. This room also monitors and controls the performance of all working groups in synchronization with the time of the data collection process implementation from the first day to the last day.

Data Quality Team: it is an operations team that works concurrently with the work of surveys, and is equipped with all electronic follow-up methods, monitoring and tracking screens, in which observers and quality specialists review the consistency of data and discover errors and extreme values ​​during the data collection process by following up what is filled out by the researcher in a timely and immediate manner. It aims to verify that researchers follow the instructions related to the survey, verify the logic and correctness of the data, ensure the application of the scheduled communication schedule for the family, ensure the reliability and rationality of the data, and review some important survey indicators to ensure the accuracy of the data, and the Data Quality Room performs several tasks, most notably: Reviewing the collected data, and sending notes to the work teams at various levels through the office automated system linked to the researchers' computers, so that they can quickly receive the notes at their work sites. Contacting the families, and asking some questions in the form to them to verify the safety of the researcher's completing the data, the extent of his commitment to the instructions, obtaining the missing data that has not yet been received, and thanking the heads of the families for their cooperation. Responding to inquiries, either from researchers or from heads of households.

 

4,2. Access to data from administrative records (second source of labour market statistics): 

GASTAT has coordinated with the government entities concerned with the Labor market to obtain data on Labor market statistics. Such data include data of workers, and number of visas issued based on data of administrative records. These data are preserved in the databases of the Authority, and are audited and reviewed according to the scientific statistical method and generally quality criteria in coordination with the source of the data.

 

 

Fifth Stage: Classification: 

During this stage, raw data are disaggregated based on the classification and coding inputs completed during the data collection process, according to the Saudi Vocational Classification based on The International Classification, The National Classification of Economic Activities, The National Manual of Countries and Nationalities based on The International Manual, and Majors and Education Levels Manual based on (ISCED). During disaggregation process, other classifications and coding are also used, such as: data distribution at administrative regions level, qualitative and descriptive classification in terms of gender determination, individual’s marital status, or quantitative classification such as income groups.

Specialists of Labor Force Statistics Department have processed and analyzed data in this stage, and this step was based on the following measures:

• Sort and arrange data in groups or different categories in a serial order.
• Summarize detailed data into main points or main data
• Linking between many parts of data and make them connected
• Process incomplete or missing data
• Process illogical data
• Converting data into statistically significant data
• Organize, display and interpret data

Data were displayed in appropriate tables to facilitate its summarization, comprehension, and results extraction. Also, to compare data with other data and extract statistical meanings for the study community. It is also easier to check tables without the need to see the original questionnaire which usually include data like: names and addresses of individuals, names of data providers, which violates data confidentiality of statistical data.

“Anonymity of data” is one of the most important procedures. To keep data confidential, GASTAT removed personal data such as: name and address of the head of the household and other personal data to maintain individuals’ privacy.     

 

Sixth Stage: Revision:

Firstly: Data Outputs Validation:
In addition to the data processing and tabulation  in the fifth stage to check their accuracy, all the outputs are stored and uploaded to the database after being calculated by GASTAT to be reviewed and processed by specialists in Labor Force Statistics through modern technologies and software designed for this purpose. 

 

Secondly: Dealing with confidential data: 

According to the Royal Decree No. 23 dated 07-12-1397, data must always be kept confidential, and must be used by GASTAT only for statistical purposes. Therefore, the data are protected in the data servers of the Authority.

Under no circumstances can that be allowed to disclose about any data of the households or their members. It is worth mentioning that the publications are statistical tables at the level of Saudi Arabia and its administrative regions and main cities by demographic characteristics.

 

 

Seventh Stage: Publication:

Firstly: Preparation and Process of the Results Designed for Publishing:
During this stage, GASTAT downloaded the data’s results from the database of surveys of Labor force. Moreover, it organized and reviewed the data of administrative records included in the Labor Market Statistics Bulletin. Then, the publication tables and graphs of data and indicators, metadata, and methodology were prepared and processed to be prepared in both languages English and Arabic.

 

Secondly: Preparing Media Kit and Announcing Publication Date: 

The publication date of the bulletin is already set up by GASTAT on its official website at the beginning of the Calendar Year. During this period, the Authority is preparing the media kits to announce the date of releasing the bulletin through media in addition to its various platforms in social networking sites. The bulletin will be published firstly on GASTAT’s official website in different formats, such as open data in Excel format to be easily reached for all clients and those who are interested in the Labor market in general. It will be uploaded on the website’s statistics library as well.

GASTAT uses the Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS) issued by the International Monetary Fund. According to this Standard, all statistics agencies are required to publish data on employment, unemployment, and wages on a quarterly basis, and with a delay of not more than one quarter (90 days) after the end of the reference quarter. If the data are from different source, they may be published in a different frequency

 

 

 

 

Thirdly: Communicating with clients and providing them with the bulletin’s results 

One of GASTAT’s objectives is to better meet its clients' needs, so it immediately provides them with the bulletin’s results once the labor Market Statistics Bulletin is published. It also receives questions and inquiries of the clients about the Bulletin and its results through various communication channels, such as:

• GASTAT’s official website www.stats.gov.sa
• GASTAT’s official e-mail address info@stats.gov.sa
• Client Support’s e-mail address cs@stats.gov.sa
• Official visits to GASTAT’s official head office in Riyadh or one of its branches in Saudi Arabia.
• Official letters.
• Statistical telephone (920020081)

 

Eighth Stage: Assessment:

All GASTAT’s clients who used the results of the Bulletin will be contacted again in order to assess the entire statistical process. This is done for improvement purposes in order to obtain high-quality data. The improvements include: methodologies, procedures and systems, statisticians’ skill level, as well as statistical work frameworks. The participatory stage is carried out with the data users and Authority’s clients according to the following steps:

 

Firstly: Collection of Measurable Assessment Inputs 

The most important comments and notes are collected and documented from their sources in different stages, for example comments and notes given by data collectors and their supervisors. Also, notes written by specialists responsible for reviewing, auditing, and analyzing data collected from the team or administrative regions. Finally, comments and notes collected and documented by data users after publishing the Bulletin, or social media comments and clients’ feedback that sent to the Authority through its main channels.

 

Secondly: Assessment 

The assessment is done by analyzing collected evaluation inputs,and comparing the results of this analysis with the ones expected previously. Therefore, a number of possible improvements and solutions are identified and discussed with specialists, experts, and concerned partners of labor market community. During this step, clients' performances and satisfaction levels of using the results of labor market statistics are measured. It is worth mentioning that based on these procedures, the recommendations for obtaining high quality data for the next labor market statistics are agreed upon.

 

Ninth Stage: Management:

 It is a comprehensive stage required to carry out each phase of the labor market statistics production. During this stage, the plan of production is developed, which includes the feasibility study, risk management, financing methods, in addition to expenditure mechanisms. The plan also covers the development of performance indicators, quality criteria, and manpower map required for production. Through this plan, the implementation process of the tasks assigned to different departments at each stage will be followed up and reported to ensure that GASTAT meets its clients’ requirements.  

 

To download Labor Market Bulletin Methodology, Fourth Quarter 2020 (Here)