Taipei, March 14 (CNA) Taiwanese employers anticipate a decrease in hiring activity in the second quarter of 2006, but Taiwan's overall employment outlook is doing fine, according to a quarterly report released Tuesday.
The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, conducted by Manpower Services Taiwan, indicated the hiring expectations of Taiwanese employers dropped slightly for the second quarter of 2006, compared to the same time period last year.
Of the 1,438 employers surveyed, 37 percent expected an increase in hiring during the second quarter, 6 percent expected a decrease in employment opportunities and 46 percent of employers polled foresaw no change in their workforces.
The results of the Net Employment Outlook (NEO), which is derived by taking the percentage the employers anticipating total employment to increase, and subtracting the percentage expecting to see a decrease in employment -- 31 percent.
"Employment has always been unstable during Taiwan's second quarter due to the high turnover rate. Therefore, it is reasonable for employers to be optimistic," said Dennis Lee, General Manager of Manpower Services Taiwan.
Among the six sectors polled, the transportation and utilities sector reported the highest expectations to hire, at 37 percent. The mining and construction industry sector saw 12 percent, while the manufacturing industry, service industry and wholesale and retail trade sector all saw bright prospects.
The finance, insurance and real estate industry sector results in 29 percent, dropping 15 percentage points as compared to the same season last year.
"The drop in the finance, insurance and real estate industries might be the result of deflation in the consumer market, which is caused by recent credit card debt issues," Lee said.