Among 32 countries and territories surveyed globally this quarter, hiring intentions among Indians employers continue to be the most optimistic with an overall net employment outlook of 36 per cent, the latest ‘Manpower Employment Outlook Survey’ said.

“In terms of hiring prospects for April-June period, Indian employers are second most optimistic in the world, next only to Singapore. Further, India shares second place with Peru and Romania. The sentiments of employers are buoyant...,” Manpower Managing Director Naresh Malhan said.

In the Asia Pacific region, employers in Singapore are most optimistic with a net employment outlook of 60 per cent, followed by India (36 per cent), while employers in China reported the weakest hiring forecast in the region, for third consecutive quarter.

However, India’s outlook represents a moderate decrease of six percentage points in comparison with the first quarter of 2008 but has recorded a year-on-year increase of five percentage points.

Favourable second quarter

Globally, apart from India, the most favourable second quarter hiring plans were reported by employers in Singapore, Peru, Romania, Costa Rica, Argentina, Poland, Hong Kong, Australia, Greece and South Africa. Conversely, employers in Spain and Italy report the weakest job prospects in the next three months. “Indian employers continue to be positive yet increasingly cautious about their hiring intentions. The softening of the hiring pace for the second quarter can be attributed to uncertainties in some of the leading economies of the world,” Mr Malhan said.

Staffing levels

As many as 5,279 employers were interviewed for the survey in India. Interestingly, 37 per cent expect an increase in staffing levels in the second quarter of 2008, while a marginal one per cent anticipate a decrease. Around 54 per cent are expecting no change.

Employers across all seven industry sectors in India are positive about their hiring intentions. However, the hiring intentions in all seven industry sectors reveal quarter-on-quarter decrease in net employment.

The survey said that employers in all four regions in India are positive about their hiring intentions.

The southern region is likely to witness the most robust hiring pace (39 per cent), employers in the North anticipate brisk hiring activity with a net employment outlook of (36 per cent). In case of the Western region, the employment outlook is 35 per cent and for the Eastern region, it is 26 per cent.