28 September 2007
The Department of Labour has welcomed the latest Labour Force Survey (LFS)
figures showing that employment has increased by about 200 000 between March
this year and a year earlier.
The figures were released by Statistics South Africa "The results are
welcome news as shown by the increase in employment levels. We believe that
more good news is coming with the sustained boom in construction industry,
tourism and government's extended public works projects."
Among the key findings of the LFS were that in March this year the
unemployment rate was unchanged at 25,5 percent compared with 25,6 percent a
year earlier. Figures further showed that the rebound in agricultural
employment that occurred in March 2006 was reversed in March 2007 when
employment levels in agriculture fell by 243 000. The industries with the
largest employment gains in the year to March 2007, were community and personal
services (up 127 000), finance (up 126 000) and construction (up 102 000).
The formal sector excluding agriculture accounted for the largest share of
employment in South African economy. In March 2007, employment in the formal
sector was 8 423 000 of total employment, whereas informal sector employment
was 2 131 000 (16,9 percent) and domestic work accounted for 936 000 jobs.
Enquiries:
Zolisa Sigabi
Cell: 082 903 878
E-mail: zolisa.sigabi@labour.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Labour
20 September 2007
Source: Department of Labour (http://www.labour.gov.za)
