1. Sales Value
The sales value of the Manufacturing sector in March,
2008 continued to grow at 9.6% (RM4.2 billion) year-on-year
to record RM48.1 billion. The corresponding growth
in February, 2008 was 19.7%. The sales value increased
10.1% or RM4.4 billion month–on-month as against
RM43.7 billion reported in February, 2008.
The year-on-year increase was generated by the growth
in the sales value of 61 industries (57.6%) out of
106 industries covered by the survey. The five major
industries whose sales value increased significantly
were Manufacture of Refined Petroleum Products (59.3%),
Manufacture of Computers and Computer Peripherals
(25.4%), Manufacture of Basic Iron and Steel Products
(36.1%), Manufacture of Motor Vehicles (26.3%) and
Manufacture of Other Basic Industrial Chemicals except
Fertilizers and Nitrogen Compounds (12.6%).
2. Number of Employees
Total employees engaged in the Manufacturing sector
in March, 2008 was 1,089,067 persons, an increase
of 5,442 persons (0.5%) compared to March, 2007. The
number of workers employed was down by 0.7% or 7,334
persons as compared to 1,096,401 persons employed
in February, 2008.
3. Salaries & Wages
Salaries & wages paid in March, 2008 increased
by 5.7% or RM110.1 million year-on-year to register
RM2,055.3 million compared to March, 2007. The total
amount paid in March, 2008 decreased by 0.9% or RM18.7
million as compared to RM2,074 million spent in February,
2008.
4. Productivity
Productivity or average sales value per employee
in March, 2008 went up by 9.2% to RM44,186.40. The
comparative figure for March, 2007 was RM40,482.10.
Productivity in March, 2008 also increased by 10.9%
or RM4,328.40 compared to RM39,858 reported in the
preceding month.
