International recruiter Kelly’s South African operation has seen profits decline in the six months to September.

Profit before interest, tax and depreciation fell by 28% to R114.6m (£9.18m). 

Chief executive Grenville Wilson says: “Despite the difficult trading condition, the group managed to increase revenue in rand terms marginally to R2256bn. While our high-margin permanent staffing business was down 32% in revenue terms, the lower margin temporary staffing business was maintained at the previous year’s level. 

“We expect market conditions to remain depressed for the foreseeable future, keeping up the pressure on our margins and volumes. In this environment, our priorities will be to minimise short-term risks and to maintain our commitment to stringent cost control and improved efficiencies.”