Swiss employers foresee pick-up in job market

GENEVA, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Swiss employers are expecting an upswing in recruitment in the first three months of 2018, the most upbeat they have been for seven years, a survey showed Tuesday.

The report by the Swiss recruitment agency Manpower consulted 759 employers, predicting the outlook for recruitment in the first quarter of 2018 to be three percent, the most optimistic forecast since the first quarter of 2011.

"This upbeat forecast demonstrates that the economic recovery is expected to gradually have a knock-on effect on the Swiss labor market," said Leif Agneus, general manager of Manpower Switzerland, in a statement.

"The strengthening of the global economy, the growth in the eurozone, and the fall in the Swiss franc are undoubtedly influencing Swiss employers, who are back with renewed confidence, especially those in an export-oriented business."

Employers mainly in Zurich and northwest Switzerland are the most optimistic, said the report.

No changes in the job market are expected in the Lake Geneva region.

The key recruitment figure is predicted by comparing the number of employers expecting an increase in their employment rates within the first quarter, with those expecting a decrease.

Most new vacancies will be created by the financial, real estate and service sectors, followed by the manufacturing industry.

Most jobs cuts will be seen in the construction industry, as well as in public and social services.

The Manpower employment outlook barometer is conducted quarterly with private sector employers in 43 countries and territories, with a view to studying the intentions of companies vis-a-vis their workforce in the coming three months.

Manpower says the barometer is considered a respected economic indicator. Enditem