Employers gloomy on jobs

Dutch employers are extremely gloomy about employment prospects in the coming period, according to a survey of 42 countries by staffing agency Manpower.


The organisation’s latest economic outlook says employers expect ‘a dramatic decline in labour market activity’ in the first three months of next year.
It is the weakest Dutch employer position since the research began in 2003, Manpower said.
Across the board
Employers in eight of the nine industry sectors forecast negative headcount growth during the first three months of 2013. Manufacturing showed the biggest decline followed by construction. However, employers in the electricity, gas and water sectors are ‘cautiously optimistic,’ the survey showed.
‘It is a hard time for the construction sector,’ said Manpower managing director
Jilko Andringa. ‘Not only the stagnant housing market, but also declining business investment is playing a role. Reluctance on the part of consumers to spend is definitely having an impact on many markets, but especially in construction.’
Manpower’s survey is based on 750 employers in the Netherlands.
Central bank
On Monday, the central bank said the Dutch economy will contract by a further 0.6% next year.
This means unemployment will also rise sharply to 6.2% and the budget deficit will not meet eurozone targets in 2013 or 2014, the central bank said in a statement.
Earlier stories
Central bank sees further economic decline

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