Korea data office opens first global workshop on labour migration statistics

The National Data Office said Monday it opened a two-day global workshop with the International Labour Organization in Seoul on labour migration statistics, bringing together labour statistics experts from 23 countries in Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas, along with officials from international organisations including the ILO and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

The first ILO-MODS Global Workshop on International Labour Mobility Statistics runs from Sept. 29 to Sept. 30 at Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery.

The office attributed the push for the meeting to demographic change and growing exchanges between countries, which it said have made international labour mobility more varied and raised the importance of reliable, internationally comparable statistics. The use of new data sources and the development of international statistical standards have emerged as key tasks alongside that shift.

On the opening day, a panel discussion on changes in international labour mobility and remote work, new data needs and international statistical standards will bring together government representatives, worker and employer delegates, research institutes and international organisations. Sessions over the following day will draw on the guidelines of the 21st International Conference of Labour Statisticians, with countries sharing experience on statistical planning, data governance and integration, the use of administrative records such as work permits, statistics on cross-border and seasonal workers, and data on emigrants and returning migrants.

The National Data Office and the ILO have worked together for about a decade since 2015 to advance labour mobility statistics and strengthen national statistical capacity. The office said the workshop extends that cooperation worldwide and widens the discussion to cover more varied forms of labour mobility.

"As international labour mobility changes quickly and in complex ways, the importance of reliable, internationally comparable statistics is growing further," said Lee Myung-ho, deputy commissioner of the National Data Office. "I hope this workshop becomes an opportunity to gather each country's experience and wisdom, develop international labour mobility statistics, and expand the use of new data and international cooperation."

Ritash Sarna, director of the ILO's statistics department, thanked the National Data Office in a video address for more than ten years of cooperation on labour mobility statistics. "This workshop will be an important foundation for developing international standards for labour mobility statistics based on each country's experience," Sarna said.

The experiences and views shared at the workshop will feed into the development of international standards and practical guidelines for labour mobility statistics, the office said, and will be reflected in preparations for the 22nd International Conference of Labour Statisticians in 2028. The office said it plans to continue working with the ILO, other international organisations and national statistical agencies on advancing labour mobility statistics and international statistical standards.