The rate remained virtually stable from July to August, in the seasonally adjusted series. In the August 08/August/07 comparison, the employed population increased 2.5%, and considering the index accumulated in the year, 2.8%. The real payroll indicator decreased by 0.5% in the month/previous month comparison (seasonally adjusted series). The indexes for the month and accumulated in the year had increments of 6.4% and 6.6%, respectively. 

In August, industrial employment was practically stable compared to the previous month (-0.1%) in the seasonally adjusted series, after having increased for the last two months; in this period it accumulated increase of 1.3%. As a consequence, the quarterly moving average index increased 0.4% between the quarters which ended in August and July, maintaining the same rhythm of increase as in the previous month.

Compared to the same month in the previous year, the increase of 2.5% completes the sequence of twenty-six positive rates in this comparison. The index accumulated in the first eight months of the year was 2.8%. The annualized rate, the index accumulated in the last twelve months, was slightly above the July figure, and changed from 2.9% to 3.0%.

In the August 08/August 07 comparison (2.8%), the number of workers increased in twelve of the eighteen subsectors surveyed and in twelve of the fourteen areas surveyed. Among the subsectors, the main impacts were caused by machinery and equipment (10.6%); means of transportation (8.4%); electronic and communications machines and equipment (11.7%) and chemical products (10.0%). By area, the most relevant positive contributions were those of São Paulo (2.8%), Minas Gerais (6.3%), Rio Grande do Sul (4.0%) and North and Central West Region (2.7%), in which the main highlights were, respectively: electronic and communications machines and equipment (14.4%) and chemical products (18.7%); food products and beverages (12.0%) and means of transportation (12.7%); machinery and equipment (24.9%) and metal products (16.1%); and food products and beverages (5.8%) and non-metallic minerals (21.4%).

On the other hand, also in the August 08/August 07 comparison, Santa Catarina (-1.0%) and Pernambuco (-3.5%) were the main negative highlights among the areas, whereas apparel (-5.6%), wood (-10.5%), textiles (-6.4%) and footwear and leather articles (-3.1%) accounted for the main negative contributions to the formation of the overall rate by subsector in the country.

In terms of the indicator accumulated in the year (2.8%), there was increase of the number of employed persons in eleven areas and twelve subsectors, compared to the same period last year. São Paulo (4.0%), Minas Gerais (4.5%) and North and Central West Region (3.8%) accounted for the main positive contributions, whereas Santa Catarina (-0.6%), for the main negative impact among all the areas surveyed. In the analysis by industrial subsectors, the main positive contributions came from machinery and equipment (12.3%); means of transportation (10.3%); electronic and communications machines and equipment (12.6%) and food products and beverages (2.7%). On the contrary, footwear and leather articles (-9.9%), apparel (-5.0%), textiles (-5.7%) and wood (-7.6%) were the negative highlights.

In summary, the quarterly moving average index reflects the positive evolution of employment, which has accounted for the dynamism of industrial activity in the last few months. Compared to similar periods in 2007, indexes remain on a sequence of positive results, with lower increase rate, however, due to the upward trend of the comparison basis. In analysis by four-month periods, the employed population indicators and the number of hours paid (from 3.0% to 2.4%) followed the performance observed in production (from 7.3% to 4.9%).

NUMBER OF HOURS PAID

In August, the number of hours paid to industry workers decreased 0.6% in relation to July, in the seasonally adjusted series, after having increased for two consecutive months, a period in which it had accumulated increase of 1.6%. The quarterly moving average indicator had positive change of 0.4% between the quarters which ended in August and July and has accumulated, since July this year, increase of 0.7%.

Compared to the same month in the previous year, the index has kept positive rates for seven consecutive months, with increase of 2.1%. In terms of the index accumulated in the year, the increase was 2.7%. The indicator accumulated in the last twelve months was stable between July and August (2.7%).

In terms of the monthly indicator, the number of hours paid increased 2.1% supported, to a great extent, by the increments in twelve of the fourteen areas and in twelve of the eighteen subsectors surveyed. By subsector, the main positive contributions came from machinery and equipment (11.5%); electronic and communications machines and equipment (10.5%) and means of transportation (7.4%). On the other hand, apparel (-6.9%) and textiles (-6.4%) were the main negative contributions.

Also in the same comparison, the areas with the most relevant performances to the overall result were: São Paulo (2.7%), Minas Gerais (6.3%) and North and Central West Region (2.2%). In São Paulo, there was increase of the number of hours paid in twelve activities, being the main highlights: electronic and communications machines and equipment (12.8%), machinery and equipment (8.3%) and means of transportation (6.1%). In the industry of Minas Gerais, the highlights were food products and beverages (10.3%) and means of transportation (15.4%); and, in the North and Central west Region, food products and beverages (4.5%) was the main impact. On the other hand, the main negative contributions came from Pernambuco (-3.8%), mainly due to the fall of food products and beverages (8.6%), and Santa Catarina (-1.0%), where the highlight was the fall of apparel (-10.7%).

In the period accumulated in January-August, the increase of 2.7% resulted from the increments in eleven areas and in twelve subsectors. The main positive impacts, by area, came from São Paulo (4.0%), Minas Gerais (5,0%) and North and Central West Region (3.7%), whereas Espírito Santo (-1.6%) was the main negative highlight. By subsector, the main increases occurred in machinery and equipment (13.0%), means of transportation (11.4%) and electronic and communications machines and equipment (11.4%). On the other hand, footwear and leather articles (-10.9%) and apparel (-5.3%) were the main negative positive highlights. 

REAL PAYROLL

In August, the seasonally adjusted real payroll of industry workers decreased 0.5% in relation to the immediately previous month, after three months with positive rates, when there was accumulated increase of 2.5%. The quarterly moving average indicator hand positive change (0.4%) for the second consecutive month, with increase of 1.2% since July.

The real payroll of August increased 6.4% compared to the same month in the previous year, with positive rates in thirteen of the fourteen areas surveyed. The main positive contribution was that of São Paulo (8.0%), due, to a great extent, to the salary increment in chemical products (32.7%) and means of transportation (7.3%). Also important were Minas Gerais (12.1%), with non-metallic minerals (41.0%) and metallurgy (12.9%) as the main highlight and Paraná (7.1%), where the main highlights were machinery and equipment (24.1%) and food products and beverages (10.0%).

Also in terms of the monthly indicator, the real payroll increased in thirteen of the eighteen subsectors surveyed. The main positive impacts came from chemical products (17.6%), machinery and equipment (11.7%) and means of transportation (8.9%). On the other hand, footwear and leather articles (-13.6%) was the most relevant negative contribution.

The indicator accumulated in the year increased 6.6%, with positive contributions from all the areas. The main impacts came from São Paulo (7.8%), Minas Gerais (9.1%) and Paraná (7.6%). In these areas the highlights were, respectively, means of transportation (13.3%) and chemical products (19.4%); means of transportation (15.0%) and metallurgy (8.3%); and machinery and equipment (32.6%) and food products and beverages (7.0%).

In terms of subsector, thirteen activities had increase of salary volume; the main positive contributions came from means of transportation (13.0%), machinery and equipment (9.1%) and chemical products (11.2%). On the other hand, footwear and leather articles (-7.7%) and paper and printing (-2.9%) had the major salary reductions.