The average monthly salary in the measured component of the formal non-agricultural business sector increased by 11% in August compared to the same period last year, Statistics South Africa said on Tuesday.
Employees in this sector earned an average of R6 073 per month in this period — R603 more than last year. In real terms, however, the average monthly salary was R5 138 in August — reflecting a real annual decrease of 0,5 percent.
”The quarterly increase of 4,5% is mainly due to annual salary increases, the appointment of higher paid employees, the retrenchment of lower paid workers and more hours worked by employees in August than in May this year.”
Stats SA said the increase was reflected by eight industries in the formal non-agricultural business sector.
In August, the highest average salary, including bonuses and overtime payments, were paid to employees in the electricity, gas and water supply industries. This was R13 179.
It said the highest average monthly ordinary-time hours paid for per employee in August was reported by the wholesale trade, retail trade, motor trade and hotel industries.
The highest average monthly overtime hours of 15,2 hours per employee was reported in August in the measured component of the transport, storage and communication industries, Statistic SA said. – Sapa