1. Sectoral Review on Labour Force Statistics
Experience of Bosnia and Herzegovina
MGSC 2015 point 4.1

2. Sectoral Review of Labour Force Survey in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH)
Eurostat Call for Interest for Conducting a Sectoral Assessment, January 2014
Three statistical institutions in BiH agreed that Labour Force Statistics is first priority
Main reason for proposing Labour Statistics – BH intention to introduce continuous LFS
Review process started at the end of June 2014
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3. Objectives of Sector Review (SR)
SR of labour market statistics was tailored to BiH and the emphasis was on the Labour Force Survey
Main objectives
to assess administrative and technical capacity
to assess statistical production of the LFS
to assess the level of compliance with the acquis in the area of the LFS
to review medium and long-term planning within the LFS
to propose a list of recommendations
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4. Review steps First activity was 4-day review mission, 14-17 July
Self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ) sent to BH staff before the mission
SAQ preparation (two months)
Preparation of Sector Review Report (two months)
Final report delivered to BiH in December 2014
Prior to the mission, BH staff were sent SAQ and asked to provide a list of required documents
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5. Four-day Mission Working environment active, supportive, friendly
SR experts acquainted with complex institutional setup and BH statistical system
Discussion and clarification of SAQ questions
Other users of labour statistics took part
Meeting with BHAS management
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6. The self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ)
The SAQ drawn to assess the compliance of the LFS with European Statistics CoP and the relevant EC Regulations
Part 1 - institutional environment
Part 2 – statistical processes
Part 3 – statistical outputs
Part 4 – optional
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7. SR Report - main findings
“ The LFS shows a high compliance with the ILO recommendations and with the European requirements in definitions of concepts, in the contents and list of variables as well as in the classifications used Major challenges for statistics of BiH are: i) improving the sample frame; ii) introducing a continuous survey; and iii) using computer assisted mode for data collection.“ BH staff agreed with all findings and recommendations
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8. Recommendations
A need to increase human and financial resources in order to introduce continuous LFS
Change of sample frame as a condition for transition to continuous LFS (required results of the Population Census 2013)
Some improvements and steps forward to be made at present
Proposed recalculation of one indicator
For LFS 2015, ISCED-2011 will be used
Delivery of data to Eurostat - to start ASAP (meanwhile, LCS data has been sent to Eurostat)
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9. Lessons learned Selection of experts for SR - very important
Good understanding of SAQ - essential
Expert mission in BiH - key activity (also useful for better understanding of SAQ)
Mission duration – at least days
SR - a learning process, especially for younger statisticians
SR – time-demanding for involved staff
SR report – valuable document for specific area
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10. All thanks to Eurostat for given opportunity!
Benefits for BiH
SR confirmed that three statistical institutions in BiH are successful when working together
BH statisticians thoroughly informed about the complexity of transition to the continuous LFS
Additional information on the needs for introducing continuous LFS (including technical assistance)
BiH would surely benefit from SRs in other statistical domains
All thanks to Eurostat for given opportunity!
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11. Thank you for your attention!
Jasna Samardzic
International Cooperation and European Integration Department
Agency for Statistics of BiH
MGSC 2015