The results of the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) for the first quarter of 2021 show that total employment decreased by 9 000 or (-0,1%) quarter-on-quarter, from 9 653 000 in December 2020 to 9 644 000 in March 2021. This was largely due to decreases in employment in Trade (-40 000 or -1,9%), Business services (-19 000 or -0,9%), Construction (-5 000 or -1,0%) and Electricity (-1 000 or -1,7%). The transport industry reported no quarterly change. However, there were increases in employment in Community and social services (47 000 or 1,7%), Mining (5 000 or 1,1%) and Manufacturing (4 000 or 0,4%) industries.
Total employment decreased by 552 000 or (-5,4%) year-on-year between March 2020 and March 2021.
Full-time employment decreased by 63 000 or (-0,7%) quarter-on-quarter, from 8 629 000 in December 2020 to 8 566 000 in March 2021. This was largely due to decreases in employment in Trade (-28 000 or -1,4%), Community and social services (-22 000 or -0,9%), Business services (-15 000 or -0,8%), Construction (-4 000 or -0,9%), and Electricity (-1 000 or -1,8%) industries. No changes were observed in full-time employment in the Transport industry between these two quarters. Increases were observed in Mining (5 000 or 1,1%) and Manufacturing (2 000 or 0,2%) during this period.
Full-time employment decreased by 599 000 or (-6,5%) year-on-year between March 2020 and March 2021.
Part-time employment increased by 54 000 or (5,3%) quarter-on-quarter, from 1 024 000 in December 2020 to 1 078 000 in March 2021. This was largely due to increases in Community and social services (69 000 or 16,1%) and Manufacturing (2 000 or 2,8%). The Electricity and Transport industries reported no change in part-time employment during this period. However, there were decreases in Trade (-12 000 or -5,6%), Business services (-4 000 or -1,8%) and Construction (-1 000 or -1,5%) industries.
Part-time employment increased by 47 000 or (4,6%) year-on-year between March 2020 and March 2021.
Total gross earnings paid to employees decreased by R26,8 billion or (-3,6%) from R742,1 billion in December 2020 to R715,3 billion in March 2021. This was largely due to decreases in the following industries: Manufacturing, Community and social services, Trade, Transport, Business services, Construction and Electricity. However, the Mining industry reported a quarterly increase.
Year-on-year, total gross earnings decreased by R14,1 billion or (-1,9%) between March 2020 and March 2021.
Basic salary/wages paid to employees decreased by R4,1 billion or (-0,6%) from R651,2 billion in December 2020 to R647,2 billion in March 2021. This was largely due to decreases in the following industries: Business services, Manufacturing, Construction, Transport and Electricity. During the same period, increases were observed in Trade, Mining and Community and social services industries.
Year-on-year, basic salary/wages decreased by R19,6 billion or (-2,9%) between March 2020 and March 2021.
Bonus and overtime paid to employees decreased by R22,7 billion (-25,0%) from R90,9 billion in December 2020 to R68,1 billion in March 2021. This was largely due to decreases in the following industries: Community services, Trade, Manufacturing, Transport, Construction, Electricity and Business services.
Year-on-year, bonus and overtime payments increased by R5,5 billion or (8,9%) between March 2020 and March 2021.
There was a quarter-on-quarter increase of R3,00 (or 0,0%) in average monthly earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural sector from R23 119 in November 2020 to R23 122 in February 2021.
Year-on-year, average monthly earnings paid to employees in the formal non-agricultural sector increased by 3,2%.
http://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=1854&PPN=P0277&SCH=72762
ENDS
Technical enquiries contact:
Matlapane Masupye
Director: Quarterly employment statistics
Cell: 082 317 5340:
Email: MatlapaneM@statssa.gov.za
Media enquiries contact:
Felicia Sithole
Cell: 076 430 0693
Email: felicias@statssa.gov.za
