Some of the strongest hiring intentions recorded are in Singapore, India, Peru and Romania, while China reported the weakest hiring outlook according to Manpower’s latest Employment Outlook Survey.

Thirty-two countries and territories expect positive hiring activity for the second quarter.  However, as the majority of the predictions are weaker compared to the previous quarter, the general trend indicates a step back in hiring for many of the world’s largest economies, according to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.

Some of the strongest hiring intentions recorded are in Singapore, India, Peru and Romania.  These results reflect a high demand for talent in markets where foreign direct investment and labour mitigation are increasing.  China reported the weakest hiring outlook.

The US
In light of recent developments, the main focus with respect to the foreign Net Employment Outlook figures is on the United States.  It comes as no surprise that the figures showed a downward trend compared to the first quarter of 2008.  However, it is striking that the drop is relatively limited, falling only three percentage points from last quarter leaving a relatively optimistic outlook for USemployment.  

Europe

Netherlands
Optimism in the Netherlands is waning slightly, though the Net Employment Outlook Figure was an optimistic + 8 percent.  According to Hans Leentjes, Managing Director of Manpower Nederland, the slight downward trend can also be seen in the industry sectors and regional figures.  The biggest quarterly drop in the Netherlands can be seen in the south of the country, where employers indicate considerably fewer opportunities would be available for job seekers when compared to 2007. 

Belgium
Hiring is likely to slow down in Belgium over the next three months, however overall prospects remain positive and Belgian employers remain confident. Instead of reductions in staff like we would traditionally see in a recessionary period, we’re seeing an increase in the percentage of employers who are planning to put a hold on hiring and forge ahead with the people they already have, according to Philippe Lacroix, Managing Director of Manpower Belgium.  Lacroix suggests, employers are taking a “wait and see” approach as they evaluate where their economies are headed.  

Switzerland
Overall, employers in the seven regions surveyed report positive hiring prospects for the second quarter of 2008, and employers in only two regions report a decrease in hiring intentions quarter over quarter.  “The results of the survey as well as business activities of the first two months of the year do not indicate any weakening of the Swiss labour market,” says Charles Belaz, Managing Director of Manpower Switzerland.  

Spain
In Spain 85 percent of employers surveyed do not foresee any changes to their workforce in the second quarter, while 8 percent expect an increase, with 6 percent anticipating a reduction, leaving Spain with a +2 percent Net Employment Outlook (basically the difference between employers expecting an employment increase and those expecting a decrease over the next quarter).  Once seasonal variation is taken into account the outlook falls to +1 percent.  The manufacturing sectors’ forecast is the most optimistic for Spain while the Public & Social and Wholesale & Retail sectors show the weakest hiring intentions.

Germany
Despite the turbulent financial markets in other parts pf the globe, the German job market remains sturdy with many German employers expressing intentions to continue hiring during the forthcoming quarter.  One reason, according to Thomas Reitz, Manpower Germany’s Managing Director, is the demand for “qualified personnel was constantly high for permanent placement as well as temporary placement…qualification gaps of the applicants often make up the bottleneck in staffing.”  

March 2008 

[Copyright Expatica 2008]