A Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security press release says the “Occupational wages Survey 2003” is to be conducted with the assistance of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) through its Caribbean Labour Market Information Systems (CLMIS) Project.

According to the release, the project is expected to see the strengthening of the National Insurance Scheme’s information systems to provide pertinent labour statistics and will likely see the establishment of a labour market information system.

The project will seek to answer questions relating to wages and hours of work of various occupations as well as employment costs. These will be used in compiling much- needed labour statistics as well as determining living standards and conditions of work and life.

Policymakers have for sometime wanted to know the total employment cost, including employer’s contribution to PAYE, bonus, housing and welfare. The statistics are essential to planning for economic and social development, establishing income and fiscal policies, wage structures, manpower planning, labour utilisation, minimum -wage regulation and social security.

According to the release, some of the benefits to be derived from completion of the survey include, help in career planning and counselling along with the evaluation of wages relative to investment in education.

The study will aid in planning education and the allotment of resources. The local wage structure and distribution statistics could feature in aiding collective bargaining and tripartite consultations at the national and enterprise level, along with determining employment cost by industry and sector, the release suggested.

A sample of establishments to be visited was drawn from an established list compiled by the statistical unit of the ministry, according to regions, private and public sector, small, medium and large organisations.

A sample of 200 establishments will be selected plus a sample of approximately 3000 employees will be randomly selected from the employment listing.

The survey is to be conducted on an annual basis. All information will be confidential.