Specialized teams at the Directorate of Planning and Statistics in Daraa Governorate continue field surveys of the labor force in Tel Shihab town in the western countryside, by visiting families and collecting data on the reality of work, unemployment, and economic and social characteristics. This survey is part of efforts targeting various cities, towns, and villages in the governorate, aiming to provide an accurate database that contributes to shaping economic policies and identifying labor market needs.
The director of Planning and Statistics in the governorate, Fatima Murshed, clarified that the survey, implemented by the Directorate in cooperation with the International Labour Organization and the European Union, will last for 40 days. This process aims to determine the size and demographic and economic distribution of the labor force, monitor unemployment factors and current and future labor market needs, based on modern statistical techniques and methods.
For his part, field researcher Ghazi Al-Hushoush at the Planning and Statistics Authority noted that data collection relies on direct visits to families' homes after introducing them to the survey's objectives and nature. He pointed out the use of updated, geographically linked sampling frames to ensure coverage of targeted areas and avoid duplicate visits or exclusion of any area, noting that researchers underwent training on understanding questions and unifying statistical concepts.
Al-Hushoush added that the main challenges facing fieldwork include the absence of some families from their homes, some citizens' reluctance to provide accurate information due to tax-related fears, weak awareness of the importance of statistical work, and difficulty accessing some remote areas. He affirmed that information provided by citizens is subject to strict confidentiality and protection procedures, including data encryption and separating personal information from statistical data.
Residents expressed the importance of cooperating with field teams. Citizen Haitham Al-Hushoush from Tel Shihab town emphasized the importance of residents providing accurate information, as this plays a role in reflecting the living and service reality of citizens and helping to determine unemployment rates and community needs more realistically. The Planning and Statistics Branch in Daraa began implementing the labor force survey last Saturday, as the survey results are of particular importance because they provide field indicators that help transition from estimating labor market needs to determining them based on actual data.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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