3% drop in number of firms planning to hire

The employment outlook for the first quarter of 2013 is gloomy, according to the Manpower employment outlook survey, which looks at firms’ intention to hire workers.

Overall there was a 3% fall year in the number of companies that are planning on hiring people in the first quarter of 2013.

The weakest hiring intentions are reported in finance and business services, down 16%, pharmaceutical down 10%, retail down 8%, mining down 7%, and restaurants and hotels down 7%.

The manufacturing sector was more optimistic with employers reporting the most positive prospects for growth in staff.

Managing director of Manpower Ireland, Krissie Davies, said: “Employers are surveyed ahead of the budget release and this period is marked by anxiety regarding potential additional austerity measures.”

There were some small chinks of light as a number of sectors reported marginal increases in expected hiring activity. The transport, storage and communication sector reported an 11% jump in expected hiring.