(Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall)
MILWAUKEE, Wis., June 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In the third quarter of 2009 job seekers around the globe can expect more of the same sluggish hiring pace seen during the first half of the year, but worldwide a greater percentage of employers are saying they will hold on to the staff they have, according to the global Manpower Employment Outlook Survey results released today by Manpower Inc. . Job prospects in the manufacturing industry sector have deteriorated further across Continental Europe and contributed to German employers' first negative hiring forecast in three years. The hiring picture in the U.S. remains unchanged from the second quarter, with the rate of labor market contraction expected to level off in the quarter ahead.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060221/CGTU012LOGO)
"Compared to three months ago, a greater percentage of the world's employers are telling us they will make no changes to their workforces, suggesting that the worst could be behind us. In the U.S., the cautious hiring pace will remain a challenge for job seekers as employers continue to adjust and align their workforces throughout the year to ride out this downturn and prepare for growth on the other side," said Jeffrey A. Joerres, Chairman and CEO of Manpower Inc. "Across Europe, we are seeing a continued weaker appetite for employees in the Manufacturing sector. In fact, in Europe's largest economy, the percentage of German manufacturers expecting layoffs rose nine percent compared to the previous quarter."
Employers in 11 of 34 countries and territories surveyed expect some positive hiring activity in the coming quarter, but those in 22 are forecasting negative outlooks with 17 reporting their weakest hiring plans since the survey was established. While employers in all countries and territories are reporting weaker year-over-year forecasts, outlooks have improved from three months ago in 12 countries. Although weaker than historical patterns, third-quarter hiring plans are strongest in India, Norway, Poland, Peru, Singapore and Taiwan and weakest in Ireland, Spain, Greece, Romania, Italy, Japan and the U.K.
Across the eight countries and territories surveyed in the Asia Pacific region, employment prospects remain soft, with employers in India, China and Japan reporting their weakest hiring plans since the surveys were established in these countries. Despite the weak forecast for the Indian market, employers there remain the most optimistic in the region. On the other hand, compared to three months ago outlooks for half of the countries and territories have improved, most notably in Singapore and Taiwan.
"In our second quarter report, the Indian labor market showed signs of resilience, but employers there are now much more uncertain about adding employees.
