Johannesburg -The South African government has expressed satisfaction with the recent increase in employment, as reported in the 3rd Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) by Statistics South Africa. This positive trend covers the period from June to September 2023.

According to South African Government News Agency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, the rise in employment reflects the effectiveness of strategies implemented by the government in collaboration with business and labor sectors. Despite challenges in both domestic and global economic environments, these measures are increasingly contributing to reducing unemployment and creating job opportunities.

The government's commitment to addressing domestic economic constraints is evident in the recently approved Freight and Logistics Roadmap and the Integrated Resource Plan 2023. These interventions aim to stimulate economic growth and reverse the contraction in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which recorded a decline of 0.2% in the 3rd quarter of 2023.

Ntshavheni also highlighted a significant year-on-year employment increase of 2.6%. Statistics South Africa reported a total employment rise of 256,000 between September 2022 and September 2023.

Notably, this period also saw an increase in gross earnings paid to employees, which rose by R16.7 billion (2.0%) from R833.6 billion in June 2023 to R850.2 billion in September 2023. This rise in earnings is seen as a response to the increasing cost of living, indicating government efforts to maintain sustainable wage levels.

The government recognizes that the growth in employment and earnings has been largely driven by sectors vital to the country's economic growth, such as trade, mining, transport, electricity industries, and community services. Additionally, the positive contributions from the business services, manufacturing, and construction sectors in increasing gross earnings are seen as encouraging signs.

With these promising economic indicators, the South African government is determined to intensify its efforts in the upcoming year to promote an employment-generating economy, ending the year on a note of economic resilience and steady job creation.