LABOUR COSTS UP BY 4.8%

In Q2 2012, the total hourly labour costs in Bulgaria rose by 4.8% on an annual basis, National Statistical Institute (NSI) data showed. The highest increase of hourly labour costs were in the service sector - 8.9%, followed by industry - 2.5%, while these in construction reported a 2.1% decline. In Q2 2012, the highest growth in total labour costs over the same period of the previous year was registered in the following activities: “Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles” - 16.3%, “Other Activities” - 14.7% and “Professional Activities and Scientific Research” - 10.8%, and the lowest - in “State Administration” and “Financial and Insurance Activities – 0.5% and 2%, respectively.

The greatest reduction in total labour costs was recorded in the economic activities: “Production and Distribution of Electricity and Heating Energy and of Gaseous Fuels” by 3.9% and in “Construction” - 2.1%.

In the composition of total labour costs, these for remuneration per hour worked rose by 5.9%, compared to Q2 2011, while the other costs (except these for wages) increased by 0.2%.