Jan 21, 2010

61% of firms hiring more

BOSSES across the business spectrum - from multinationals to medium- and large-sized enterprises - will be stepping up hiring this year, according to a survey.

The telephone poll conducted by recruitment firm Achieve Group in December last year found that 61 per cent of firms said they will hire more workers in the first half of this year.

One per cent of the 500 firms polled said they plan to retrench staff, while 38 per cent said they would freeze hiring.

When Achieve carried out the same survey in the second half of 2008, 3 per cent of those polled said they would reduce headcount, as 51 per cent of them expected Singapore to run into a recession. No survey on hiring practices was conducted last year.

'This underscores the confidence within the business community,' said Achieve's chief executive Joshua Yim. The most bullish sectors are retail, hospitality and food and beverage, with 79 per cent of the companies polled saying they would step up hiring.

'This is likely linked to the opening of the integrated resorts,' said Mr Yim.

- The Straits Times

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