Employment: More jobs added in second quarter, still less than a year ago

Employment statistics for the second quarter show that more jobs were added compared to the first quarter, but overall fewer people were employed than in the second quarter of last year. Total employment decreased by 144 000 or 1.3% between June 2023 and June 2024.

Statistics SA announced the Quarterly Employment Statistics for the second quarter today, showing that total employment increased by 42 000 or 0.4% in the second quarter compared to the first quarter of the year from 10 674 000 in March to 10 716 000 in June, primarily thanks to an increase in the community services industry that added 92 000 (3.1%) jobs.

However, the manufacturing industry cut 16 000 jobs in the second quarter, while business services cut 14 000 jobs, mining and transport cut 7 000 jobs each, trade cut 5 000 jobs and the construction industry cut 1 000 jobs. The electricity industry showed no change.

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Full-time employment decreased

According to Statistics SA, full-time employment decreased by 39 000 (0,4%) in the second quarter compared to the first quarter, from 9 488 000 in March 2024 to 9 449 000 in June 2024.

This decrease was primarily due to job cutting in manufacturing, which cut 17 000 (-1,4%) jobs, mining and transport cut 7 000 (1,5%) jobs each, trade that cut 5 000 (0,2%), business services that cut 5 000 (0,2%) jobs and community services that cut 2 000 (0,1%) jobs.

However, there was an increase in formal employment in the construction industry, which added 4 000 (0,8%) jobs. The electricity industry showed no change.

Full-time employment also decreased by 40 000 (0,4%) between June 2023 and June 2024.

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Part-time employment increased quarter-on-quarter, but not year-on-year

Part-time employment increased by 81 000 (6,8%), from 1 186 000 in March to 1 267 000 in June 2024, largely thanks to an increase of 94 000 (17,5%) jobs in community services and 1 000 (1,2%) in the manufacturing industry.

However, there was a decrease in jobs in business services of 9 000 (4,0%) jobs and construction, where 5 000 (6,9%) jobs were cut. The electricity, trade and transport industries showed no change in part-time employment between the first and second quarters.

Part-time employment decreased by 104 000 (7,6%) between June 2023 and June 2024.

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Gross earnings and basic salaries

Employees’ gross earnings decreased by R4.6 billion (0,5%) from R957 billion in March to R952.4 billion in June 2024, primarily due to a decrease in business services and electricity. However, there was an increase in the gross earnings of employees in community services, trade, construction, transport, manufacturing and mining.

Statistics SA recorded a year-on-year increase in employees’ gross earnings of R35.4 billion (3,9%) between June 2023 and June 2024.

The basic salaries or wages paid to employees increased by R21.8 billion (2.6%) from R848 billion in March to R869.7 billion in June 2024, largely thanks to salary increases in community services, business services, trade, manufacturing, transport, construction and mining. There was a decrease in salaries paid in the electricity industry.

Employees’ basic salaries or wages increased by R36.8 billion (4,4%) between June 2023 and June 2024.

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Bonuses and overtime

According to Statistics SA, employees’ bonuses decreased by R27.5 billion (34%) from R81.5 billion in March to R54 billion in June 2024, primarily due to a decrease in bonuses paid in business services, community services, manufacturing and electricity. However, there was an increase in bonuses paid to employees in trade, transport and construction.

The bonus payments also decreased by R3.2 billion (5,7%) between June 2023 and June 2024.

Overtime paid to employees increased by R1.2 billion (4,2%) from R27.5 billion in March to R28.7 billion in June 2024, largely thanks to an increase in bonuses paid by community services, business services, construction, manufacturing, trade and electricity. However, there was a decrease in bonuses paid by the transport industry.

Employees overtime payments increased by R1.8 billion (6.9%) between June 2023 and June 2024.

The average monthly earnings paid to employees increased by 2.5% from R26 783 in February to R27 450 in May 2024, while the average monthly earnings increased by 4.8% between May 2023 and May 2024.