India among most optimistic amid global slowdown in hiring

Indian employers are the second most optimistic globally about their hiring plans for the next three months, but job opportunities are expected to be weaker than a year-ago period, with only 21 per cent forecasting an actual increase in staffing levels, says a survey.
According to ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey released today by ManpowerGroup, January-March 2017 hiring confidence is strongest in Taiwan, India, Japan, Hungary and Slovenia, while the weakest forecasts were from Brazil, Switzerland and Italy.
The survey, that covered 4,930 employers across India, noted that for the January-March 2017, 22 per cent employers forecast an increase in staffing levels, 1 per cent anticipate a decrease and 59 per cent expect no change, resulting in a net employment outlook of 21 per cent.

"The job market continues to sustain the momentum in the digital age, however, the initial slow pace of automation has picked up steam and job-seekers should be willing to upgrade themselves for gainful employment," A G Rao, Group Managing Director of ManpowerGroup India said.
Rao further noted that "there are continuous ongoing measures to improve ease of doing business and encourage industries to expand their operations, which in turn, will help boost the job market."
Staffing levels are expected to increase in all four regions during January-March 2017, however, on a year-on-year basis, hiring intentions declined in all four regions.

For the January-March 2017, employers in the south report the most optimistic hiring intentions with a net employment outlook of 31 per cent, while for the north, the outlook is 27 per cent, and in the west, it is 21 per cent and for the east it stands at 18 per cent.

Sector-wise, employers in all seven industry sectors expect to grow staffing levels during the first quarter of 2017. The strongest labour market is anticipated in the public administration and education sector, where 26 per cent employers are bullish about hiring.
Services sector employers also expect an active hiring pace, reporting an outlook of 25 per cent.

Globally, employers in 40 of 43 countries and territories intend to add to their payrolls by varying degrees at the start of 2017 even as uncertainty associated with the Brexit vote or the US election will result in some significant labour market volatility.
"... Employers appear content to keep a watchful eye on marketplace conditions and adjust workforce levels according to their business needs," the survey added.