Formal sector employment up by 0.1% in the third quarter

PRETORIA: The number of people employed in South Africa's formal non-agricultural sector grew by 0.1% in the third quarter of 2012, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said on Tuesday, 11 December 2012.

"The September 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 10 000 persons," said Stats SA.

The QES showed that 10 000 people were added to the country's formal industries in the third quarter of the year thereby bringing the number to 8.44 million in the quarter ending in September.

This reflected an annual increase of about 82 000 workers compared with September 2011.

According to the QES, gross earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural sector increased between the quarters ended June and September.

"The gross earnings paid to employees during the quarter ended September 2012 amounted to R369 881 million. This reflects a quarterly increase of R17 442 million."

Gross earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural sector increased between the quarters ended June 2012 and September 2012.

The gross earnings paid to employees during the quarter ended September 2012 (July 2012 to September 2012) amounted to R369 881 million. This reflects a quarterly increase of R17 442 million (+4.9%) compared with the quarter ended June 2012 (April 2012 to June 2012).