Statistics SA counts more people employed in formal sector

THE number of people employed in the formal sector of the South African economy rose by about 38‚000‚ or 0.4%‚ in the fourth quarter of 2013 compared with the previous quarter‚ according to the December Quarterly Employment Statistics survey released by Statistics South Africa on Tuesday (18/03/2014).

This took the number of people employed in the formal sector to about 8.495-million‚ from roughly 8.457-million in the third quarter.

The gross earnings paid to employees during the fourth quarter amounted to R422.7bn‚ reflecting a quarterly increase of R24.6bn‚ or 6.2%‚ compared with the quarter ended September.

Average monthly earnings‚ including bonuses and overtime payments‚ paid to employees in the formal nonagricultural sector increased between August 2013 and November 2013.

The December survey shows a quarterly increase of 0.8% in average monthly earnings paid to these employees between August 2013 (about R14‚795) and November 2013 (roughly R14‚911).

The mining and quarrying industry reported a decrease of 16‚000 employees (-3.1%) in December 2013 compared with December 2012. There was a quarterly decrease of 8‚000 employees (-1.6%) in December 2013 compared with September 2013.

The manufacturing industry reported a decrease of 2‚000 employees (-0.2%) in December 2013 compared with December 2012. There was a quarterly increase of 2‚000 employees (0.2%) compared with September. This was mainly due to increases in employment in the production‚ processing and preservation of meat‚ fish‚ fruit‚ vegetables‚ oils and fats; and the manufacturing of furniture.

The construction industry reported 8‚000 fewer employees (-1.9%) in December 2013 compared with December 2012. There was a quarterly decrease of 7‚000 employees (-1.6%) in December compared with September. This was mainly due to decreases in employment in the building of complete constructions and in building completion.

The wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles‚ motor cycles and personal and household goods; hotels and restaurants industry reported 22‚000 more employees (1.3%) in December 2013 compared with the same month a year before. There was a quarterly increase of 35‚000 employees (2.1%) in December compared with September.

The financial intermediation‚ insurance‚ real estate and business services industry chalked up an annual increase of 5‚000 employees (0.3%) in December 2013 compared with December 2012. There was a quarterly increase of 1‚000 employees (0.1%) in December compared with September.

The community‚ social and personal services industry — which includes government jobs — counted 45‚000 more employees (1.9%) in December 2013 compared with a year earlier. There was a quarterly increase of 14‚000 employees (0.6%) in December compared with September. This was mainly due to increases in employment in local government; other government institutions‚ health and social work; recreational‚ cultural and sporting activities; and provincial and national departments. - Ntsakisi Maswanganyi © BDlive 2014