IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Employment in the formal non-agricultural business sector increased between the quarters ended June 2008 and September 2008.   The September 2008 Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) survey showed that the number of people employed in the formal non-agricultural business sector of the South African economy increased by about 35 000 persons (or +0,4%) from June 2008 (an estimated 8 457 000 employees) to September 2008 (an estimated 8 492 000 employees). Gross earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural business sector increased between the quarters ended June 2008 and September 2008. According to the September 2008 Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) survey gross earnings paid to employees during the quarter ended September 2008 (July 2008 to September 2008) amounted to R253 060 million. This represents a quarterly increase of R9 039 million (or +3,7%) compared with the quarter ended June 2008 (April 2008 to June 2008). Employment in the formal non-agricultural business sector increased between the quarters ended September 2007 and September 2008.   According to the September 2008 Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) survey an estimated 8 492 000 people were employed in the formal non-agricultural business sector of the South African economy. This reflected an annual increase of about 149 000 employees (or +1,8%) compared with September 2007 (an estimated 8 343 000 employees). Gross earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural business sector increased between the quarters ended September 2007 and September 2008. The gross earnings paid to employees during the quarter ended September 2008 (July 2008 to September 2008) amounted to R253 060 million. This reflects an annual increase of R33 179 million (or +15,1%) compared with the quarter ended September 2007 (July 2007 to September 2007 ). Average monthly earnings, including bonuses and overtime payments, paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural business sector increased between May 2008 and August 2008.  The September 2008 Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) survey reflected a quarterly increase of 3,9% in average monthly earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural business sector between May 2008 (an estimated      R9 142) and August 2008 (an estimated R9 495).  Average monthly earnings, including bonuses and overtime payments, paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural business sector increased between August 2007 and August 2008. The September 2008 Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) survey reflected an annual increase of 12,9% in average monthly earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural business sector between August 2007 (an estimated R8 409) and August 2008 (an estimated R9 495).