Employers expect small rise in hirings

Employers in Greece are reservedly optimistic about making hirings in the first quarter of 2017, according to a quarterly survey carried out by Manpower.

The employment outlook is relatively stable compared with the last quarter of 2016, and there was a two-percentage point increase from the first quarter of 2016. Out of the 750 employers who took part in the survey, 14 percent expect an increase in employees and 12 percent a reduction, while 72 percent do not foresee any changes.

The sectors with the strongest employment prospects are agriculture (+15 percent), the financial domain, insurance, property and services to business (+14 percent). On the other hand, the sectors expected to suffer a drop in employment are manufacturing (-4 percent) and transport and communication (-3 percent).

Notably, employers at major enterprises (with a staff of at least 250 people) believe there will be a very active labor market until endMarch, with employment prospects showing an increase by 26 percentage points. By contrast, employers at very small enterprises discern an uncertain future as regards hirings, with the employment outlook showing a 1 percent decline.

Businesses in the region of Attica expect a 7 percent rise in hirings, while those in northern Greece forecast 3 percent growth.