Explaining the difference between LMRA and CBB employment data

LMRA is pleased to note the interest of the media on its Labour Market data with the recent publication in comparing the latest LMRA employment data with that of CBB. Such scrutiny of statistics is part of a healthy development of a society.

The following table explains the difference between the LMRA and CBB data. There are three main sources of differences: (a) domestic workers (72,541), accounted in the LMRA data but not in CBB; (b) employees registered at PFC but not in CSB (16,699), accounted in the LMRA data but not in CBB; and (c) employed persons in the private sector not registered at GOSI such as unpaid family workers and uninsured self-employed persons (20,128), again accounted in the LMRA data but not in CBB. 

Employment, 2008 Q4

Total

Bahraini

Non-Bahraini

LMRA

578,307

140,096

438,211

CBB

471,088

117,071

354,017

Difference

107,219

23,025

84,194

Domestic workers

72,541

72,541

PFC, not in CSB

16,699

9,554

7,145

Private sector, not in GOSI

20,128

10,904

9,224

Reconciliation

109,368

20,458

88,910

Remaining differences

-2,149

2,567

-4,716

 After taking account of these differences, the LMRA and CBB employment data almost coincide as shown in the last line of the table. The remaining differences (-2,149) are due to a few technical adjustments made at LMRA to take account of multiple jobholders and civilian employees in non-civilian organizations, etc. The detail construction of the LMRA data can be found in the LMRA website: http://www.lmra.bh/blmi/doc/2008_LabourAccounting_2002to2008.xls
 
To describe these data and the wealth of other labour market information published by LMRA on a quarterly basis, a workshop is organized next week (Thursday, 19 March 2009, 10:00 to 12:00 am) at LMRA premises in Sanabis. The workshop is open to the media and to the public. For participation, please register by calling PR department in LMRA on 17388775 or Fax: 17554870.