'Indian companies most optimistic globally for April-June hiring plans'

New Delhi: Indian employers emerged as the most optimistic lot globally in terms of hiring intention in April-June for the third consecutive quarter and expect the hiring pace to remain brisk, a ManpowerGroup survey says. According to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey released on March 8 by ManpowerGroup, employer confidence in India is stronger than in any of the other 41 countries and territories that participated in the survey.

"India is moving on a higher economic growth trajectory with global investments in various sectors. Adding to this, substantive government measures are expected to position India as a lucrative destination for foreign capital," ManpowerGroup India Group MD A G Rao said.

With as many as 38 per cent of employers planning to increase their staff strength in April-June, opportunities for job-seekers are expected to be bright in most Indian industry sectors and regions, the survey, which covered 5,203 employers across India, found out. "Budget 2016 is further expected to favour more foreign investments in India and campaigns like 'Make in India' will drive global companies to set up manufacturing facilities in India," Rao added.

Sector-wise, the strongest labour market is anticipated by manufacturing sector employers, with a net employment outlook of 43 per cent, followed by services (40 per cent) and mining and construction (38 per cent). A region-wise analysis shows that payroll gains are expected in all four regions during the June quarter of 2016.

The strongest labour market is anticipated in the south, where employers report a bullish net employment outlook of 42 per cent, followed by west with a reading of 39 per cent, east (36 per cent) and north (31 per cent). Globally, ManpowerGroup's second-quarter research reveals that job gains are expected in 39 out of 42 countries and territories during April-June.

Some key labour markets such as Germany, France and Italy are clearly struggling to gain traction amid the current economic uncertainty, the survey noted. Faced with the slowdown in China and ongoing turmoil in commodity markets, most employers across the globe appear to be taking a measured approach of adding staff only when needed, it added.

Staffing levels are expected to grow in all eight Asia-Pacific countries and territories in April-June. Employers in India and Japan report the strongest second-quarter hiring plans while those in Australia and China log the weakest.