The sales value of the Manufacturing sector in January 2016 decreased by 3.4% (RM1.9 billion) to record RM55.3 billion as compared to RM57.2 billion reported a year ago (Chart 1). Meanwhile, month-on-month basis, the sales value decreased by 0.6% (RM0.3 billion) compared with the preceding month. The sales value in December 2015 remained unchanged.

On a seasonally adjusted month-on-month, the sales value in January 2016 decreased by 0.1%.

Year-on-year, the decrease in sales value in January 2016 was due to the decrease in Petroleum, Chemical, Rubber and Plastic Products (-22.7%) and Transport Equipment & Other Manufactures (-5.2%).

Total employees engaged in the Manufacturing sector in January 2016 was 1,030,153 persons, a decrease of 0.4% or 4,436 persons as compared to 1,034,589 persons in January 2015 (Chart 2). Meanwhile, month-on-month basis, the number of employees increased by 0.3% as compared to 1,027,044 persons in the preceding month.

Year-on-year basis, salaries & wages paid in January 2016 increased by 8.9% (RM265.0 million) as compared with the corresponding month of the previous year. Meanwhile, month-on-month basis, the total amount paid in January 2016, decreased by 0.3% (RM9.7 million) to register RM3,251.0 million.

The average salaries & wages paid per employee increased by 9.4% in January 2016 as compared to the same month in 2015. Meanwhile, average salaries & wages paid per employee registered RM3,156 in January 2016, a decrease of 0.6% compared to previous month.

Productivity or average sales value per employee in January 2016 decreased by 3.0% as compared with the same month of the previous year. Meanwhile, productivity in January 2016 decreased by 0.9% month-on-month to register RM53,653 (Chart 3).