The roundtable was aimed at bringing together experts on labour statistics to compare notes on methodologies and the disputed data, and more systematically identify areas of divergence and convergence. Besides assisting in enlightening public discourse, the discussion could lay the basis for more comprehensive research that would clarify the salient issues.

Despite the progress made in improving labour statistics, debate on the accuracy of the data has continued to rage. This has intensified in the past years, ranging from the questioning of the utility of the ‘narrow’versus ‘broad’definitions of employment and the very accuracy of the data.