Increased uncertainty in employment market

ONE in four Irish companies plan to increase the numbers they employ in the coming months but one in ten companies plan to lay-off workers, the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey forecasts.

The net impact is that 12% of Irish employers will be taking on staff in the period July - September 2003, up 1% quarter on quarter, and a 3% increase on the first quarter of the year.

Manpower SkillsGroup managing director Jason Kennedy said there continues to be increased uncertainty in the marketplace.