Developing Working Definitions of Emerging Work Arrangements for Policymaking and Plans to Collect Data on Fractional Work Arrangements in Future Labour Force Surveys

Mr Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari asked the Minister for Manpower in view of emerging work arrangements, such as fractional work which are being studied through ongoing tripartite efforts (a) whether the Ministry intends to develop a working definition of such arrangements to support consistent understanding and policymaking; and (b) whether there are plans to collect data on workers engaged in fractional work arrangements in future Labour Force Surveys.

Under the Tripartite Workgroup on Senior Employment (TWG-SE), the Ministry of Manpower and tripartite partners are studying various work arrangements, including fractional employment, to support senior employment, as both workers and business adapt to changing economic conditions and work preferences.

Fractional work arrangements are an emerging area and are still evolving in form and scope. Hence, there is no international statistical definition. At present, aspects of such arrangements are partially captured through existing indicators, such as data on part-time workers and multiple job holders in our labour force survey. This allows us to monitor related trends while the concept continues to develop.

As we study the topic further through the TWG-SE, we will explore how to better define and support fractional employment arrangements, including how to better collect data on such workers. Findings from the TWG-SE will be released later this year.