The formal non-agricultural sector added 39 000 jobs in the second quarter of 2023, reaching almost 10,1 million jobs. According to the latest Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q2:2023) survey released by Stats SA, there was a year-on year net increase of 104 000 jobs.

Between March and June 2023, total (full- and part-time) employment rose by 0,4% or 39 000, reaching 10 078 000 employed people. This increase in employment was mainly driven by the growth in community services (40 000), business services (12 000), mining (2 000) and electricity (1 000). However, industries such as manufacturing (-10 000), transport (-3 000), trade (-2 000) and construction (-1 000) experienced a decline in employment.

The number of full-time workers decreased by 25 000 in the quarter ending June 2023, dropping from 8 816 000 in March 2023 to 8 791 000. This decrease was mainly attributed to the decline in full-time employment in community services (-11 000), manufacturing (-10 000), construction (-6 000) and transport (-1 000). The electricity and business services industries showed no change in this quarter. However, some industries recorded an increase in employment, such as mining (2 000) and trade (1 000).

Year-on-year, the number of full-time workers dropped by 46 000 from June 2022 to June 2023.

When looking at part-time employment, the quarter ending June 2023 saw a rise in employment by 64 000 jobs, reaching 1 287 000 from 1 223 000 in March 2023. This increase was mainly driven by the growth in employment in community services (51 000), business services (12 000), construction (5 000) and electricity (1 000). The manufacturing industry showed no change in the quarter. However, some industries experienced a decline in employment, such as trade (-3 000) and transport (-2 000).

Compared to the same quarter last year, part-time employment went up by 150 000 from June 2022 to June 2023.
The total amount of gross earnings paid to employees rose by 0,4% or R3,6 billion in the quarter ending June 2023, reaching R832,4 billion from R828,7 billion in March 2023. This increase was mainly attributed to the growth in earnings in community services, trade, transport, construction, manufacturing and mining. However, the business services and electricity industries experienced a decline in earnings.

Compared to the same quarter last year, the total amount paid to employees in salaries rose by 5,4% or R42,9 billion from June 2022 to June 2023.

The regular salary/wages paid to employees rose by 2,6% or R19,3 billion in the quarter ending June 2023, reaching R757,8 billion from R738,5 billion in March 2023. This increase was mainly driven by the growth in salary/wages in community services, business services, trade, manufacturing, construction, transport and mining. However, the electricity industry showed a decrease in salary/wages.

Compared to the same quarter last year, the regular salary/wages paid to employees rose by 5,4% or R38,6 billion from June 2022 to June 2023.

The bonus payments paid to employees fell by R17,7 billion (or -26,4%) in the quarter ending June 2023, dropping from R66,9 billion in March 2023 to R49,3 billion. This decrease was mainly attributed to the decline in bonus payments in business services, manufacturing, community services and electricity. However, the industries that recorded an increase in bonus payments were transport, trade and construction.

Compared to the same quarter last year, the bonus payments paid to employees went up by 4,4% or R2,1 billion from June 2022 to June 2023.

The overtime payments paid to employees rose by R2,0 billion (or 8,7%) in the quarter ending June 2023, reaching R25,4 billion from R23,3 billion in March 2023. This increase was mainly driven by the growth in overtime payments in manufacturing, business services, transport, trade, construction and electricity. Community services reported a decrease in overtime payments.

Compared to the same quarter last year, the overtime payments paid to employees went up by R2,3 billion (or 10,1%) from June 2022 to June 2023.

There was a 2,8% quarter-on-quarter rise in the average monthly earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural sector, climbing from R25 274 in February 2023 to R25 994 in May 2023.

Year-on-year, the average monthly earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural sector experienced a growth of 5,4%.

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