German companies slightly less willing to recruit in February: Ifo

BERLIN, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- German companies' willingness to recruit more employees decreased slightly in February, the Ifo research institute reported on Tuesday.

According to the report, the Ifo employment barometer index fell to 113.6 points this month from 113.8 points in January.

Except service sector, the barometer edged downwards in almost all sectors including manufacturing, construction, wholesaling and retailing sectors, the Munich-based think tank said.

"Service providers remain the main driver behind employment growth in Germany," the report noted, adding that "the German labour market remains buoyant."

The Ifo Employment Barometer is based on about 9,500 monthly responses from businesses in manufacturing, construction, wholesaling, retailing and the service sectors.

The surveyed companies are asked to report on their employment plans for the coming three months. Enditem