The global labour market looks set to improve in most of Europe and Asia in the second quarter, with steady hiring set to continue in the Americas according to Manpower's latest employment outlook survey.

14 March 2006

AMSTERDAM - Japan, India, Taiwan, Peru, New Zealand and Hong Kong reported the strongest global hiring outlooks for the second quarter, reports Manpower's latest employment outlook survey. Out of the 12 countries surveyed from within Europe, only Italy reported a negative outlook.

Japanese and German employers have reported their most optimistic hiring plans since the survey began in these countries in the second quarter of 2003 said Manpower, which surveys more than 47,000 employers around on the world on a quarterly basis. However, employers in Italy remain pessimistic for the third consecutive quarter.

"Despite high fuel prices and other challenges, the global labour market looks set to improve in most of Europe and Asia in the second quarter, with steady hiring set to continue in the Americas," said Jeffrey A. Joerres, Chairman and CEO of Manpower Inc. 

"Compared to the first three months of the year, hiring intentions in Europe are decidedly improved," said Joerres

Employers in 10 of 12 European countries surveyed are reporting stronger hiring intentions compared to first quarter and nearly two-thirds are reporting improvements from last year at this time.

Hiring prospects are the strongest in Spain, Norway, Sweden, Ireland and the UK, based on seasonally adjusted data.

German, Spanish, Swiss and Dutch employers are reporting their strongest hiring intentions since the survey began in those countries.

German employers are beginning "to add employees again, albeit modestly," said Joerres.

Within Europe, so far Manpower collects data from employers in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.

Of the eight countries and territories included in the survey across Asia Pacific, hiring activity is expected to be strongest in Japan, India and Taiwan, while the weakest hiring in the region is anticipated in Singapore, Australia and China. 

Joerres said that a large part of the robust hiring expectations in Asia Pacific can be attributed to activity in the Finance/Insurance/Real Estate, Manufacturing, and Services sectors.

[Copyright Expatica 2006]