Relating To Labor Data Collection.
The bill directs the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) to be responsible for the gathering, analyzing, and distribution of employment data, potentially paving the way for more informed policymaking. Furthermore, it requires employers to maintain specified records regarding their employees' wages and hours of work, which must be preserved for a minimum of one year. The access to employer records aims to enhance transparency regarding labor conditions and compliance with state laws, while also providing essential data for research into employment trends and economic health.
House Bill 987, introduced during the Thirty-Second Legislature of Hawaii in 2023, focuses on enhancing the collection and analysis of labor-related data within the state. The bill mandates that the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism assess and identify the necessary statistics regarding the movement, characteristics, and needs of individuals within Hawaii. The proposed law authorizes the director to utilize various methods for data collection, including surveys and demographic studies of residents, migrants, and visitors. This comprehensive data collection aims to strengthen economic analysis and research.
If implemented effectively, HB 987 could significantly enhance the state's labor data capabilities, yielding better insights into economic conditions and facilitating improved planning and policy responses. This legislation has the potential to lead to more robust labor policies, but it is crucial that all stakeholders, particularly employers, are engaged in discussions around data utilization and confidentiality concerns.
One notable aspect of HB 987 is the provision that protects the confidentiality of individual data collected through surveys and questionnaires. While the bill recognizes the necessity of data collection for economic functions, it also establishes that information identifiable to individuals shall not be openly disclosed, thereby balancing the state's data needs with privacy concerns. There may be contention among stakeholders regarding the implications of mandatory record-keeping for employers and concerns about the competitive disadvantage that might result from public disclosures of sensitive information.