The number of people employed in the formal non-agricultural sector of the South African economy increased by about 59Â 000 persons (+0.7%) from the quarter ended June 2011 to the quarter ended September 2011.
This is according to the Quarterly Employment Statistics survey released by Statistics South Africa on Tuesday.
The survey also showed that an estimated 8.35 million people were employed in the formal non-agricultural sector of the South African economy. This reflected an annual increase of about 204Â 000 employees (+2.5%) compared with September 2010 (an estimated 8.15 million employees).
The mining and quarrying industry reported an annual increase of 16Â 000 employees (+3.2%) in September 2011 compared with September 2010.
There was a quarterly increase of 4Â 000 employees (+0.8%) in September 2011 compared with June 2011, the survey said.
The manufacturing industry reported an annual decrease of 8Â 000 employees (-0.7%) in September 2011 compared with September 2010. There was a quarterly increase of 3Â 000 employees (+0.3%) in September 2011 compared with June 2011.
This was mainly due to increases in employment in manufacturing of other food products; manufacturing of non-metallic mineral products not classified elsewhere; manufacturing of furniture; and manufacturing of special purpose machinery, the survey added.
Construction and retail up
The electricity, gas and water supply industry reported an annual increase of 2Â 000 employees (+3.5%) in September 2011 compared with September 2010. There was a quarterly decrease of 1Â 000 employees (-1.7%) in September 2011 compared with June 2011.
This was mainly due to a decrease in employment in electricity, gas, steam and hot water supply.
The survey found that the construction industry had seen an annual increase of 28Â 000 employees (+6.9%) in September 2011 compared with September 2010.
There was a quarterly increase of 15Â 000 employees (+3.6%) in September 2011 compared with June 2011. This was mainly due to increases in employment in building of complete constructions and building installation.
The wholesale and retail trade — repair of motor vehicles, motor cycles and personal and household goods — hotels and restaurants industry reported an annual increase of 16Â 000 employees (+1.0%) in September 2011 compared with September 2010.
There was a quarterly increase of 7Â 000 employees (+0.4%) in September 2011 compared with June 2011.
The survey found this was mainly due to increases in employment in retail trade (except of motor vehicles and motor cycles), repair of personal and household goods, and hotels and restaurants.
More increases
The transport, storage and communication industry reported an annual increase of 8Â 000 employees (+2.3%) in September 2011 compared with September 2010.
There was a quarterly increase of 6Â 000 employees (+1.7%) in September 2011 compared with June 2011.
This was as a result of increases in employment in land transport and transport via pipelines; supporting and auxiliary transport activities; and activities of travel agencies.
The financial intermediation, insurance, real estate and business services industry reported an annual increase of 53Â 000 employees (+3.0%) in September 2011 compared with September 2010.
There was a quarterly increase of 18Â 000 employees (+1.0%) in September 2011 compared with June 2011.
This was largely due to increases in employment in business activities not elsewhere classified; insurance and pension funding (except compulsory social security); legal, accounting, bookkeeping and auditing activities; tax consultancy; market research and public opinion research; and business and management consultancy.
The community, social and personal services industry reported an annual increase of 89Â 000 employees (+4.0%) in September 2011 compared with September 2010, according to the survey.
There was a quarterly increase of 7Â 000 employees (+0.3%) in September 2011 compared with June 2011 as a result of increases in employment in government departments; provincial administrations; and health and social work. — I-Net Bridge