India most optimistic on hiring plans for Apr-Jun qtr

India has emerged as the most optimistic nation in terms of hiring plans for the next three months and sectors such as aviation, IT & ITeS and retail are likely to see an increase in payrolls.

According to the Employment Outlook Survey released today by workforce solutions major ManpowerGroup, 41 percent of the surveyed Indian employers are expected to add on to their staff levels in second-quarter of this calender year.

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"Government initiatives, increased industry participation, rise of start-up ventures and emergence of India as an investment destination are some of the key factors that have fuelled the economy's growth," ManpowerGroup India Group Managing Director A G Rao said.

"...employer hiring intentions remain positive in all seven sectors covered in the survey, primarily driven by aviation, IT & ITeS and retail sectors where employer hiring sentiment appears to be improving," Rao added.

Employers, across most sectors, in India had been apprehensive of hiring due to uncertainty in overall business environment. However, things are expected to improve in 2014, the survey that covered 5,302 employers in India said.

"As hiring is set to rebound in India, competition for talent is likely to prove intense. Upturn in demand for outsourcing from the US and other countries will boost prospects for individuals with engineering and programming skills," ManpowerGroup President Darryl Green said.

The survey noted that the headwinds encountered in many global labor markets may be moderating amid numerous signs of measured optimism among employers.

Staffing levels are expected to increase in 38 of 42 countries and territories covered under the survey, ManpowerGroup said.

The strongest hiring plans across the globe are expected from employers in India, Taiwan, New Zealand, Turkey and Costa Rica. Conversely, the weakest second-quarter forecasts are expected from employers in Italy, the Czech Republic and in France where the net employment outlook seems to be slipping into negative territory for the second time in the past four quarters.

"There is improvement across industries and geographies. Although the improvement is still very cautious and not as robust as we've seen in the past, there are signals that confidence is starting to take hold," ManpowerGroup Chairman and CEO Jeffrey A Joerres said.