ADDIS-ABABA (ILO News) – The ILO held a regional workshop aimed at enhancing data collection, analysis, and statistical capabilities on the topic of own use provision of service work (also termed unpaid domestic and care work).

The initiative - which took place from 21st to 22nd July 2023 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - introduced National Statistical Offices (NSOs) to new tools and guidance developed to support countries to generate unpaid domestic and care work statistics, through light time-use modules attached to the national Labour Force Survey.

The main objective of the workshop was to provide an opportunity for national specialists, data producers, and data users to engage with, review, demo, and provide feedback to the ILO toolkits prior to publication and national up-take at scale.

The workshop reviewed the relevant international statistical standards, concepts, and definitions – together with the data to policy priorities - underpinning the new modular time-use tools, highlighted key moments in the development of the tools and guidance – including pilot testing in partnership with NSOs and Research Institutes in three countries – and outlined next steps and opportunities for national up-take.

Samantha Watson, ILO Labour Statistician (unpaid care work and time-use measurement), expressed her thanks to participants for their focussed and enthusiastic engagement in the workshop and their detailed feedback – as well as their interest in pursuing further technical assistance to support national uptake.

Representatives of National Statistical Offices from 24 English-speaking African countries gathered to discuss the topic and share insights into priorities, challenges, and opportunities for the measurement of unpaid domestic and care work, as well as outline future measurement opportunities within their respective nations. The workshop was an opportunity for networking and experience-sharing between the countries. A second workshop is scheduled for 25th to 29th September 2023 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, targeting National Statistical Offices from 25 French-speaking African countries.

These workshops underscore the importance of expanding the remit of official statistics to encompass all paid and unpaid work.