The Small Firms Association says the latest survey of its members indicates that employment numbers are stabilising.
The organisation’s jobs sentiment survey for the first quarter of this year shows that 24% of firms hope to increase their workforce this year, while 16% will be hiring over the next three months. Only 4% of companies laid off workers during the period.
‘While the figures are positive, 18% of firms will reduce employee numbers as business and cost challenges remain for many firms,’ said SFA director Avine McNally.
‘Any job creation is fragile until there is a restoration of cost competitiveness and greater certainty and confidence restored to the economy,’ she added.
The survey covered 626 companies and was carried out during February.
It indicates that job numbers in the wholesale and retail sectors are stabilising, while sectors such as manufacturing are starting to show signs of recovery.
