Employment rates in RP among world's highest

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines’ hiring rate is currently among the world’s highest since it has the largest number of companies that intend to employ professionals and managers in the region, an international poll indicated. Seventy percent of companies in the Philippines are currently hiring at the managerial or professional level, Antal International said, citing results of its poll entitled “Global Snapshot." Companies planning to hire managers are expected to rise to 76 percent, compared to the 10 percent which intend to cut its staff, and the three percent which are currently laying off workers. “So far the employment market in the Philippines appears to be relatively robust with current levels of hiring at professional and managerial level at a high 70 percent and expected to rise to 76 percent over the coming quarter. Firing levels are currently low although organizations expect them to rise slightly during the early part of 2009," Antal said. The study indicates that employment in the Philippines remains healthy, Lori Lava-Coates, who runs Antal's operations in the Philippines, said. "With such high levels of active recruitment recently, a slowdown is expected. And with high levels of recruitment coupled with high levels of letting staff go, the survey suggests that organizations have been replacing their existing talent. As this process is finishing, they are waiting to see what 2009 has in store," she said. In the region, Singapore has the highest firing rate with 54 percent currently laying off managers and professionals and another 15 percent expecting to let managers and professionals go. In China, meanwhile, hiring levels are down noticeably with only 43 percent currently hiring and another 20 percent expecting to hire. The situation is the same with India, where only 29 percent of companies are hiring professionals and managers and another 43 percent looking to hire. The Antal International "Global Snapshot" is a quarterly survey of hiring and firing trends in some of the world's most important employment markets and in those likely to join this group over the coming decade. The report covered the period of winter 2008/09 and is based upon material sourced from over 2,700 businesses in commerce, industry, and the financial services sector in 107 countries in four continents. Founded in 1993, Antal International is a management and professional requirements with a particular focus on the sourcing and retention of candidates at middle and senior level. It is also one of the first recruitment organizations to devote substantial resources to emerging markets. The company now has 52 offices in 28 countries. - GMANews.TV