Formal employment dropped in the first quarter, a Stats SA employment survey said yesterday.
Data show that total employment in the formal, non-agricultural sector decreased by 21,000 in the first quarter of 2023, bringing the level of employment down to almost 10 million.
The Quarterly Employment Statistics survey showed that 97,000 jobs were lost between March 2022 and March 2023.
The firm-based survey shows the trade industry bore the brunt of the job losses, with a decrease of 36,000 jobs. The business services sector followed closely behind, with a decline of 32,000 jobs. The transport and construction industries both experienced a reduction of 2,000 jobs in this quarter.
Full-time employment fell sharply in the first quarter, while part- time jobs increased.
Stats SA says that 63,000 jobs were lost from December 2022 to March 2023. Job losses were recorded in the business services industry, with a decline of 57,000 jobs, followed by the trade industry, which decreased by 14,000 jobs.
Full-time jobs were lost on a year-on-year basis, recording a decline of 24,000 jobs.
Meanwhile, part-time employment enjoyed a noteworthy surge of 42,000 jobs quarter on quarter, rising from 1,110,000 in December 2022 to 1,152,000 in March 2023.
The data show that the community services industry was the leading contributor to the part-time employment increase, with 46,000 jobs. The business services industry also grew in the quarter by 25,000 jobs. The transport industry saw a rise of 1,000 jobs.
While part-time employment showed overall growth, certain industries experienced job losses during the first quarter of 2023.
The trade sector suffered a significant decline, losing 22,000 jobs. Construction also faced a reduction of 7,000 jobs. Manufacturing industry experienced a modest loss of 1,000 jobs.