Employer optimism in the Asia labour market is gradually improving, with employers indicating stronger hiring plans compared to 12 months ago in the finance, corporate and legal sectors.

Job growth in Singapore is expected to ease in the third quarter, but employers remain optimistic about future hires, according to recent survey conducted by US-based employment services firm Manpower Inc.

The survey found that 27 per cent of approximately 700 employers interviewed across seven sectors expected to increase number of staff in the third quarter. Sixty-seven per cent of employers said they expected no change in headcount, with only 4 per cent planning to trim headcount.

The survey which examines global labour market trends, revealed the strongest job prospects was reported by employers in India, Brazil, Taiwan, China, Peru, Australia and Singapore. Hiring plans were reported to be most robust in India, Taiwan, China and Australia, with employers in China and Taiwan expressing the strongest hiring plans since the survey began in these markets in 2005.

Of the eight Asia-Pacific economies surveyed by Manpower Inc, Singapore was the only country expecting slower jobs growth in Q3 than Q2, while Hong Kong's Q3 employment outlook was reported to be flat quarter on quarter.

While the majority of countries are emerging from the downturn, but they still have a way to go, according to Jeffrey A. Joerres, Chairman and CEO of Manpower Inc. Companies are feeling demand for their products and services, but it has not accelerated enough to excite hiring prospects, Joerres said in a statement. ALB