IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Statistics South Africa today released the Quarterly Employment Statistics report, according to the report employment increased by 39 000 or 0,4% quarter-on-quarter, from 10 039 000 in March 2023 to 10 078 000 in June 2023. This was largely due to increases in the following industries: community services (40 000 or 1,4%), business services (12 000 or 0,5%), mining (2 000 or 0,4%) and electricity (1 000 or 1,7%). However, there were decreases in the following industries: manufacturing (-10 000 or -0,8%), transport (-3 000 or -0,7%), trade (-2 000 or -0,1%) and construction (-1 000 or -0,2%).

Total employment increased by 104 000 or 1,0% year-on-year between June 2022 and June 2023.

Full-time employment decreased by 25 000 or -0,3% quarter-on-quarter, from 8 816 000 in March 2023 to 8 791 000 in June 2023. This was largely due to decreases in the following industries: community services (-11 000 or -0,5%), manufacturing (-10 000 or -0,9%), construction (-6 000 or -1,4%) and transport (-1 000 or -0,3%). The electricity and business services industries reported no quarterly change. However, there were increases in the following industries: mining (2 000 or 0,4%) and trade (1 000 or 0,1%).

Full-time employment decreased by 46 000 or -0,5% year-on-year between June 2022 and June 2023.

Part-time employment increased by 64 000 or 5,2% quarter-on-quarter, from 1 223 000 in March 2023 to 1 287 000 in June 2023. This was largely due to increases in the following industries: community services (51 000 or 8,6%), business services (12 000 or 5,2%), construction (5 000 or 7,1%) and electricity (1 000 or 100,0%). The manufacturing industry reported no quarterly change. However, there were decreases in the following industries: trade (-3 000 or -1,3%) and transport (-2 000 or -11,8%).

Part-time employment increased by 150 000 or 13,2% year-on-year between June 2022 and June 2023.

The second quarter report also provides insight into employment figures in industries before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Three out of eight industries (Mining, Manufacturing and Community services) have returned to pre-pandemic employment levels.

Gross earnings paid to employees increased by R3,6 billion or 0,4% from R828,7 billion in March 2023 to R832,4 billion in June 2023. This was largely due to increases in the following industries: community services, trade, transport, construction, manufacturing and mining. However, there were decreases in the following industries: business services and electricity.

The year-on-year total gross earnings increased by R42,9 billion or 5,4% between June 2022 and June 2023.

Basic salary/wages paid to employees increased by R19,3 billion or 2,6% from R738,5 billion in March 2023 to R757,8 billion in June 2023. This was largely due to increases in the following industries: community services, business services, trade, manufacturing, construction, transport and mining. However, the electricity industry reported a quarterly decrease.

The year-on-year basic salary/wages increased by R38,6 billion or 5,4% between June 2022 and June 2023.

Bonus paid to employees decreased by R17,7 billion or -26,4% from R66,9 billion in March 2023 to R49,3 billion in June 2023. This was largely due to decreases in the following industries: business services, manufacturing, community services and electricity. However, there were increases in the following industries: transport, trade and construction.

The year-on-year bonus payments increased by R2,1 billion or 4,4% between June 2022 and June 2023.

Overtime paid to employees increased by R2,0 billion or 8,7% from R23,3 billion in March 2023 to R25,4 billion in June 2023. This was largely due to increases in the following industries: manufacturing, business services, transport, trade, construction and electricity. However, the community services industry reported a quarterly decrease.

The year-on-year overtime payments increased by R2,3 billion or 10,1% between June 2022 and June 2023.

Average monthly earnings showed a quarter-on-quarter increase of 2,8%, from R25 274 in February 2023 to R25 994 in May 2023. Year-on-year, average monthly earnings increased by 5,4%.