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1) Why do we need the Labour Force Survey? The Labour Force Survey is used by the government to monitor the labour market and to review and formulate policies on the workforce and related matters. It is used to assist in planning programmes on education, housing, transport and social services. For instance, the formulation of the Workfare Income Supplement scheme for low-wage workers drew on data on income distribution from the Labour Force Survey. The Labour Force Survey captures a wide range of data on the economic activities of the population, including information on employment, unemployment and characteristics of the labour force and economically inactive persons. Indicators such as unemployment rate are closely monitored by the community-at-large. 2) How does MRSD select the sample used in household surveys? MRSD typically uses a stratified random sampling design to yield data that is representative of the population being studied. In stratified random sampling, the population is divided by various characteristics into groups is called strata. A sample is then drawn from each stratum and combined to form the final sample. This method of selection helps us draw a sample that better represents the population. For our main household survey (Labour Force Survey), households are randomly selected by computer by geographical area and by housing type. (This is called a two-stage stratified sampling design.) In the first-stage, the population is divided by geographical boundaries into sampling divisions and then stratified into three predominant housing types: “Public Flats", “Private Houses and Flats” and “Others”. In the second-stage, housing units in each sampling division selected in the first-stage are further stratified into the following housing types: (i) HDB flats and other public flats; (ii) Condominiums and private flats; (iii) Landed properties; and (iv) Others, which include shophouses and attap- or zinc-roofed houses. From these strata, housing units for survey are selected. For establishment surveys like the quarterly Labour Market Survey, the population of private sector establishments each with at least 25 employees in Singapore is stratified by establishment size and industry. 3) If the households identified for the survey cannot be contacted, why can't MOM select other households for the survey? The houses are selected in such a way that they are representative of the population. If we interview households which are not selected, the sample will not be representative of the population and the survey results will not be reliable. 4) Can I be exempted from the surveys? 5) Is participation in the surveys compulsory? The surveys are conducted to gain a better understanding of the current manpower situation. The information provided by your household enables MOM to fine-tune its manpower policies for the good of the Singapore's business community and workers. As such, your household participation in the surveys is important for us to obtain reliable manpower statistics. It is also for this reason that the survey is conducted under the Statistics Act (Chapter 317). Under the Act, it is compulsory for the selected individuals to provide the information. 6) Why don't you obtain information of my household from other government departments? Other government departments do not have all the data we require, such as whether a person is looking for work or why a person is not working. Furthermore, due to differences in the reference period and definitions used, the time lag involved, and that the database of other government agencies may not reflect up-to-date changes, it may not always be feasible to use information from other sources. For example, income reported to IRAS is for the previous year and we do not know whether the individual is working on a full or part-time basis. Also, the law may not allow other agencies to disclose personal information. This survey is one such example: it is conducted under the Statistics Act, which states that personal information cannot be disclosed to anyone, not even to other government departments. 7) Why should I answer such personal questions? The Ministry's objective is to obtain aggregated (combined) data. We are not interested in collecting personal information of individuals, but every individual's data is vital to forming an accurate picture of Singapore workforce. Each question is necessary for the production of the required statistics. 8) I am only a tenant here. Why don't you get my landlord's particulars instead? The survey covers every person who stays in the household. If your landlord is not staying this particular address, he would not have to take part in the survey. 9) I am only a foreigner here. Why should I answer your questions? The survey covers every person in Singapore. This includes foreigners living, working and studying here. We require information not only of yourself but also that of your family members staying in the house. 10) Can the public obtain information on the results of this survey? Yes. The aggregated data is published in the Report on Labour Force in Singapore and the Singapore Yearbook of Manpower Statistics. 1) How does Manpower Research and Statistics Department (MRSD) select the sample used in establishment surveys?
In order to obtain a representative sample, the establishments are first stratified by industry and establishment size. All large establishments with at least 250 employees are included for the survey. A sample is then drawn from the remaining establishments, stratified by industry and employee size group. Selection is done randomly by a computer. 2) I have received a letter from the Manpower Research and Statistics Department (MRSD). What should I do? The letter is either a notification of the upcoming survey or a reminder of the submission of survey return. In both cases, please complete the survey questionnaire and return it to the Department by the date specified in the letter. If you have internet access, we encourage you to complete the questionaire online using the Manpower Survey Online System - For establishments. Alternatively, you may complete the enclosed questionnaire and return it using the enclosed postage-free envelope or through fax at 6236 9063 or 6236 9068. If you require assistance in filling in the survey questionnaire (or if you need a copy of the survey questionnaire), please call the officer handling your establishment's case (as indicated in the letter), from Monday to Friday, between 8.30am and 6pm. Our officer will be more than glad to assist you. You may also email your enquiries or feedback to mom_msol_estab@mom.gov.sg. 3) Is participation in the surveys compulsory? 4) Can I be exempted from the surveys? The surveys are conducted to gain a better understanding of the current manpower situation. The information provided by your establishment would enable MOM to review and formulate manpower policies and programmes for the benefit of the business community and community at large. As such, your establishment participation in the surveys is important for us to compile reliable national statistics. It is also for this reason that the surveys are conducted under the Statistics Act (Chapter 317). Under the Act, it is compulsory for the selected establishments to provide the information. 5) What should I do if I am unable to submit the form by the closing date? If you have difficulty submitting the completed form by the closing date, please do not hesitate to contact the officer handling your establishment's case. Our officer will try to accommodate your request for extension where possible. 6) Some of your questions are not applicable to my industry/establishment. Do I still need to answer your questionnaire? Yes. The Ministry's objective is to obtain aggregated (combined) data. Although we are not interested in any particular establishment's information, every establishment's data is a vital contribution towards an accurate overall picture of Singapore's current manpower situation. As such, every question is necessary for the production of the required national statistics. 7) Why was my organisation selected for the survey? Why can't MOM select another establishment for the survey? The establishments are selected in such a way that it is representative of the population. If we survey establishments that were not selected, the sample would not be representative of the population, and the survey results would not be reliable. 8) Why are there so many surveys from different government agencies? Can't these surveys be consolidated into one? Different types of surveys are conducted by the respective government agencies to obtain national statistics, which serve varying purposes. By and large, the data items asked for in each survey are not the same. The definitions used in each survey, and the target survey groups, may also be different. All these factors make it difficult for the government agencies to consolidate the different surveys into one. 9) I have already participated in the survey last quarter. Can your department obtain the required information from the earlier survey? The Ministry needs up-to-date information in order to compile timely and reliable national statistics. This is crucial for our continuous review and formulation of manpower policies and programmes, for the benefit of the business community and community at large. 10) Can the public obtain information on the findings of the survey? Yes. You can download our publications pertaining to the general labour market, manpower demand and supply, employment conditions, wages and earnings.
1) How do I know if it is safe to use MSOL? All information transmitted through the MSOL is protected and secure. Every household selected for the survey is assigned a unique Username and Password in a notification letter. This ensures that only authorised households can gain access to the system. In addition, the website is hosted on the Public Services Infrastructure (PSi), which is managed by Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA). PSi adheres to strict industry standards on security, using encryption technology IDA has put in place for all public Internet communication. 2) When can I use MSOL to submit my survey return? The MSOL service is available throughout the duration of the survey period. Our interviewers will contact you for an interview if we do not receive your household information after the stipulated period for Internet submission. 3) Where do I find my userid and Password for MSOL? Your Username and Password are indicated in the notification letter. 4) What if I have misplaced the covering letter which contains the Username and Password? You can contact us at our Survey Hotline : 6592 1020 during office hours. Alternatively, you may email us at mom_rsd_lfs@mom.gov.sg. For verification purposes, please provide your address. 5) What if I am unable to complete the survey form in a single session? MSOL allows you to exit the survey at any point of time and complete it at a later date. For more information, please see MSOL - Labour Force Survey Online User Guide (Section 6). 6) Can I obtain a copy of the information that I have provided? Before you submit the completed survey form, you have the option to view/print the information that you had provided. For more information, please see MSOL - Labour Force Survey Online User Guide (Section 7). 7) How would I know if my form has been successfully submitted? If your submission is successful, you will be directed to a 'Thank You' page with your Username is indicated at the top of the page. You may print a hard copy of this page for your reference. For more information, please see MSOL - Labour Force Survey Online User Guide (Section 8). 8) Can I still make amendments to the survey form after making a submission? If you have successfully submitted your form and still wish to make further amendments, you can contact us at our hotline: 6592 1020 during office hours. Alternatively, you may email us at mom_rsd_lfs@mom.gov.sg. Please indicate your household ID for our verification. 9) Why do I see a "Page cannot be displayed" message when I try to submit my completed survey? Checking of proxy setting (For Internet Explorer):
If you are using a computer network, you may want to check with your organisation network administrator on the proxy setting. 10) What should I do if I see "Invalid Password"? 11) Where can I get help if I encounter difficulty using the MSOL? You can contact us at our hotline: 6592 1020 during office hours if you have queries concerning MSOL. Alternatively, you may email us at mom_rsd_lfs@mom.gov.sg. Please indicate your Username when you call or email. 12) I would like to provide some feedback on MSOL. Is there any channel for me to do so? Please give us your feedback via email at mom_rsd_lfs@mom.gov.sg. We look forward to hearing from you. Please be assured that all information transmitted through the MSOL is protected and secure. Access is not possible without the unique user name and Password given in the survey notification letter. Q2) When can I use MSOL to submit my survey questionnaire? Q3) What is my Username and Password for accessing MSOL? Q4) What if I have misplaced the notification letter which contains the user name and Password? Q5) How do I complete the survey questionnaire? Q6) How do I complete the retrenchment list? Q7) What if I am unable to complete the survey questionnaire in a single session? Q8) How would I know if my survey questionnaire has been successfully submitted? Q9) Can I make any amendments to the survey questionnaire after I have made a submission? Q10) Why do I see a "Page cannot be displayed" message when I try to submit my completed survey?
If you are using a computer network, you may want to check with your organisation network administrator on the proxy setting. Q11) Where can I get help if I encounter difficulty using the MSOL? Q12) How can I provide some feedback on MSOL?
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