Saint Lucia is set to overhaul how it measures employment and Labour market activity, as the Central Statistical Office rolls out a two-week technical training programme aimed at aligning the country’s Labour Force Survey with updated international standards.
Officials say the initiative will enhance the accuracy and transparency of Labour market data, offering a clearer understanding of how citizens work, earn and participate in the economy.
Director of the Central Statistical Office Sean Mathurin explained that the revised methodology introduces a more precise definition of employment.
“Under this new approach, we are refining what we count as employment. Work is now defined narrowly as activities carried out for pay or profit,” Mathurin said.
He noted that several forms of activity previously classified as employment will now be treated differently.
“This means that activities such as subsistence farming, fishing for own use, or household work will no longer be classified as employment,” he stated. “Instead, they will be measured separately under a distinct category, own-use production work.”
Mathurin cautioned that the transition may result in noticeable changes in reported figures but stressed that such shifts should not be misinterpreted.
“As we implement these changes, we may notice shifts in some of the figures we report,” he said.
“It is important to emphasize that these changes do not signal a decline in economic performance. Rather, they reflect a more precise, transparent and internationally aligned way of measuring our Labour market.”
The initiative forms part of a broader regional effort to standardize Labour statistics across the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States.
Project Manager at the OECS Commission, Sherma Beroo, described the harmonized survey instrument as a critical advancement for policymaking.
“The OECS Labour Force Survey harmonized instrument represents a major step towards how we understand, measure and respond to Labour market dynamics across our member states,” Beroo said.
She emphasized the importance of building capacity within national statistical systems.
“This training is not just about understanding a questionnaire. It is about strengthening capacity across our statistical systems, deepening regional collaboration and ensuring that the data we produce truly reflects the realities of our Labour markets,” she added.
With the updated framework, policymakers are expected to gain more reliable and comparable data, supporting evidence-based decisions aimed at economic growth and workforce development.