Be the first to comment!Turnover and employment both down at end of 2009
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Turnover and employment in services activities fell by 3.8 and 1.9 per cent respectively in the fourth quarter last year when compared to the corresponding quarter in 2008.
Turnover
In the fourth quarter of 2009, turnover in the services sector stood at 102.9 points, down by 3.8 per cent when compared to the corresponding quarter of 2008. Underpinning this decline was a drop in turnover in the wholesale and retail sector by 6.1 per cent. Similarly, turnover in the transportation and storage sector fell by 10.6 per cent. On the other hand, turnover in the accommodation and food services activities, and the professional, scientific and technical activities sectors rose by 4.3 and 10.8 per cent respectively.
Employment
Total employment in services fell by 1.9 per cent to 93.0 points when compared to the corresponding quarter of 2008, mainly on account of a decline of 10.4 per cent in employment in the accommodation and food services activities. This decline was partially mitigated by a 0.9 per cent rise in employment in the wholesale and retail sector, on account of a 2.6 per cent rise in employment in retail trade, which in turn was essentially brought about by an 8.5 per cent increase in employment in the food sector. Similarly, employment in the information and communication sector added 2.6 per cent.
Wages and salaries
Gross wages and salaries in the services sector fell by 1.5 per cent mainly on account of a decline in wages and salaries paid in the wholesale and retail trade (-3.0 per cent), the accommodation and food service activities (-4.6 per cent) and the information and communication (-11.5 per cent) sectors respectively. Similarly, gross wages and salaries paid to employees in the transportation and storage and the professional, scientific and technical activities sectors grew by 1.6 and 5.3 per cent respectively.
Hours worked
Total hours worked in the services industry fell by 2.8 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2009, driven by declines of 7.5 and 2.6 per cent in hours worked in the wholesale and retail and in the accommodation and food service activities sectors respectively. On the other hand, hours worked in the transportation and storage and in the information and communication sectors grew by 0.5 and 3.7 per cent respectively.
