Governance of labour market data and the ability of BRICS labour market information and analysis systems to report on the SDGs

Short paper prepared for the 1st Employment Working Group meeting under the 2019 Brazilian presidency of the BRICS

The BRICS are a driving force in the global economy and the global labour market, representing almost 44 per cent of the world’s labour force. Thus, it is crucial to have timely statistical information on the BRICS’ labour markets. The performance of labour market information and analysis systems (LMIASs) of BRICS countries has an impact on the world as a whole, but also on the possibilities for cooperation amongst member countries on issues pertaining to the labour market.
The LMIASs of BRICS countries present a high level of development overall, incorporating a variety of statistical sources and allowing BRICS countries to have a reasonably good data coverage for SDG labour market indicators. In all BRICS countries, the national statistical office is at the core of the LMIAS and plays a pivotal role in the coordination of statistical activities at the national level.
Although the BRICS in general recognize the importance of openness, transparency, and accessibility of labour market data, efforts are needed to ensure full openness and coverage of labour data in all BRICS countries.
Similarly, even though all five BRICS countries have regular statistical compilations from which they derive labour statistics, there is a need to ensure that data produced systematically adheres to international statistical standards and is made available to the public in a timely manner.