Pretoria - The number of people employed in the South African non-agricultural sector grew by 22 000 in the fourth quarter of 2012, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said.
“The December 2012 Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) survey shows that the number of people employed in the formal non-agricultural sector of the South African economy increased by about 22 000 persons (0.3%) from September 2012’s estimated 8.439 employees to December 2012 (an estimated 8.461 million employees),” Stats SA said on Tuesday.
According to the QES, employment growth in the final quarter of 2012 was mainly in the services sector (trade, transport and finance services).
Gross earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural sector increased between the quarters ended September and December 2012. Gross earnings paid to employees in the fourth quarter amounted to R393 833 million. This reflects a quarterly increase of R21 925 million compared with the quarter ended September 2012.
“The December 2012 QES survey shows that an estimated 8 461 000 people were employed in the formal non-agricultural sector of the South African economy. This reflects an annual increase of about 82 000 employees (+1%) compared with December 2011 (an estimated 8 379 000 employees),” said Stats SA.
Standard Bank economists said they believed the labour market was not operating perfectly in matching workers and jobs.
“Fragilities in the mining and manufacturing sectors are likely to keep formal sector employment pressured in 2013,” said Standard Bank.
The bank said the mining sector continued to face increasing input costs and output disruptions.
“Due to on-going labour disputes, weak global demand and falling commodity prices, the sector’s profitability has taken a knock and is likely to severely affect employment going forward,” said the bank, adding that manufacturing was less likely to maintain its job creating momentum of the third quarter. - SAnews.gov.za
