The Government of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, through the Department of Economic Planning and Statistics (DEPS) under the Ministry of Finance and Economy, has commenced the annual Labour Force Survey (LFS) and the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Survey for Households and Individuals 2024. Conducted in collaboration with the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI), both surveys will run concurrently from October 14 to November 10, 2024.
The Labour Force Survey aims to gather up-to-date information on the size, structure, distribution, and characteristics of the labour force, including employment and unemployment rates. This data will be crucial for policy-making, research, and planning related to the labour force. Meanwhile, the ICT Survey 2024 will collect insights into ICT access, usage, and digital skills among households and individuals, supporting the development of Brunei’s digital economy and informing ICT-related policies and initiatives.
An oath-taking ceremony for the 152 survey officers—76 from DEPS and 76 from AITI—was held recently.
It was witnessed by Acting Director General of DEPS Hairol Nizam bin Haji Abdul Hamid, and AITI Chief Executive Haji Jailani bin Haji Buntar.
In his speech, the Acting Director General emphasised the importance of confidentiality and professionalism, ensuring that all information collected remains secure and will not be disclosed to unauthorised parties.
Survey officers have received extensive training, covering interview techniques and ethical conduct to ensure effective communication and high-quality data collection. Around 3,200 households across Brunei will be involved, with survey officers conducting face-to-face interviews using tablets for more efficient data capture.
The survey results will provide valuable insights into labour force patterns, employment trends, and technology usage in the country. The findings will serve as a benchmark for monitoring Brunei’s progress toward its Vision 2035 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
To ensure the smooth execution of the surveys, selected households are urged to verify the identity of survey officers by checking their passes, appointment letters, identity cards, and official vests. Households with pets, particularly dogs, are advised to secure them during the officers’ visits to ensure safety.
These surveys are conducted under the Statistics Act, Chapter 81 of the Laws of Brunei Darussalam. DEPS assures that all information gathered will be treated confidentially and used solely for statistical purposes. Under Section 9 of the Statistics Act, failure to provide required information or furnishing false details may result in a fine of up to BND 4,000.
The cooperation of all selected households is crucial to the success of these surveys.
