The latest Labour Force Survey will begin tomorrow with telephone and in-the-field interviews.

A government spokeswoman said only selected homes would be required to participate in the survey, organised by the Department of Statistics, but the selected households are required to co-operate under the Statistics Act 2002.

The spokeswoman said: “The main purpose of the survey is to collect information about workforce and economic activity.

“The information will be used to update key labour market indicators such as employment and unemployment statistics.”

The spokeswoman added that if a field interviewer visited a home, the householder should ask for identification.

She said: “The department assures that the information provided will be treated in the strictest confidence.

“Lastly, the department is requesting that if a participating household has pets, to please secure them when an interviewer visits.”