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Dress up! Enumerators get ready for the new stage of the pilot survey
The Pilot Survey for the 2011 Population Census will enter the second stage of face-to-face interview from the first stage of self-enumeration starting from mid-July. More than 150 enumerators from the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) will carry the red satchels with them during the second stage to visit the selected households who had not chosen self-enumeration.
TSANG Shiu-ching, Chief Census and Survey Officer of the 2011 Population Census Office, remarked that for easy identification and verification of the identity of enumerators by the selected households, C&SD has made good preparations to ensure smooth conduct of the face-to-face interviews.
TSANG Shiu-ching said, “Enumerators responsible for the Pilot Survey will wear Government/Enumerator Identity Card with photo issued by C&SD and bring with them a certificate of identity. When performing duties, they will carry a red satchel bearing the C&SD logo and register themselves with the management office of the building they visit.”
TSANG Shiu-ching, who joined the government in 1976, has developed a bonding with population census since appointment, and participated in the fieldwork of population censuses and by-censuses. He has also witnessed the changes in this large-scale statistical project relating to population, especially from the face-to-face interview method emphasized in the old days to the adoption of a multi-modal data collection approach nowadays.
TSANG Shiu-ching remarked, “In the 1976 Population By-census, although enumerators wore no uniforms, they wore arm badges for easy identification by the public.”
“With the public paying more and more attention to the image of enumerators and respondents getting more and more concern over the confidentiality and privacy of their personal data, C&SD has been providing enumerators with uniforms since the 2001 Population Census, which facilitates the respondents to identify the enumerators, thereby strengthening their trust in the enumerators. This also helps to raise the morale of enumerators to some extent.”
“Bright and sharp colors and reflective materials are usually adopted for the uniforms of enumerators. For example, in the 2001 Population Census, the enumerators’ vests were added with waistbands and pocket seals made of reflective materials, whereas in the 2006 Population By-census, light green was adopted as the main colour for the uniforms. The purposes were to make it easier for the public to identify the enumerators while to a certain extent help ensuring the personal safety of enumerators.”
TSANG Shiu-ching pointed out that in drawing up the fieldwork procedures, C&SD has adopted a series of measures to ensure the personal safety of enumerators. These measures include:
| * | Arrange enumerators to carry out fieldwork in partnership; |
| * | Require enumerators to notify the building caretakers when commencing and completing their visits as far as practicable; |
| * | Require enumerators to report regularly their locations and work progress to their supervisors; |
| * | Provide enumerators with training to enhance their awareness of personal safety; and |
| * | Provide enumerators with safety equipment such as torches and alarms. |
In addition, C&SD will notify the Police, building management offices and village representatives in the rural areas, etc. of the fieldwork arrangement of the Pilot Survey, and ask them to pay special attention to the personal safety of the enumerators during the census period.
The Pilot Survey, which is being conducted in two stages, covers about 30 000 quarters. During the first stage, households in the selected quarters may make the most use of self-enumeration of e-questionnaires or postal questionnaires (applicable to quarters subject to enumeration by “short form”).
During the second stage from 17 July to 3 August, C&SD will arrange for enumerators to visit the remaining households not choosing self-enumeration. Households may book an appropriate date for face-to-face interviews via the on-line appointment booking service of C&SD or by calling the telephone enquiry hotline (2153 2011).
TSANG Shiu-ching urged the selected households to check carefully the identity documents of the enumerators and support the Pilot Survey by cooperating with the enumerators.
He emphasized that the information provided by the selected households will be treated in strict confidence. For enquiries, the selected households may call the C&SD hotline 2153 2011.
Enumerators responsible for the Pilot Survey will wear Government/Enumerator Identity Card with photo issued by C&SD and carry a red satchel bearing the C&SD logo.