MOL survey tips top Q2 for Taiwan labor market

2015-03-05

Taiwan’s labor market is on a positive track in early 2015, buoyed by strong private sector sentiment and heightened expectations of additional market expansion, according to the latest manpower poll released March 3 by the Ministry of Labor.

Local firms anticipate a net increase of 45,063 employees from the end of January, the survey said, with 24.87 percent planning to increase their labor force by the end of next month. A total 2.51 percent indicated otherwise, while 62.38 percent expected no change.

The information and communications industry reported the strongest signs of expansion, with 38.25 percent of respondents eyeing more hires. Just behind is financial and insurance, as well as medical care and social services, at 31.06 percent and 30.56 percent, respectively.

Among the sectors offering more jobs, manufacturing led the way with 21,506 openings. Retail and wholesale came second with 5,130 and hotels and restaurants third with 3,357.

Further analysis showed that 42.94 percent of new employment opportunities will come from small firms employing 30 to 99 people. Nearly 66 percent of all the jobs comprise assembly workers, equipment operators or technicians.

Over 53 percent of the firms cited market expansion as the major reason for their hiring decisions, while 24.65 percent nominated staff replacement.

Conducted between Jan. 12-30, the poll involved 3,030 local businesses with at least 30 employees.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=227913&CtNode=413)