Singapore companies expect increase in headcount: survey

SINGAPORE, Oct. 22 -- A survey by recruitment firm Hudson found that some 34 percent of firms polled in Singapore expect to increase headcount in the three months to December.

According to local broadcaster Channel NewsAsia on Thursday, the hiring expectations is significantly higher than the 26 percent in the last quarter and cut across key business sectors.

Fewer firms are reducing headcounts. Overall, just five percent said they will shed staff this quarter.

Hudson Singapore country manager Gina McLellan said these figures confirm the strong upward trend in Singapore's employment market.

Casting an eye on next year, firms identified talent development and improving retention as the top human resource priorities.

Singapore's overall unemployment rate stabilized at a seasonally adjusted 3.3 percent in June 2009, unchanged from a quarter ago.