In the News

Over one-third of firms to raise pay

• Publication Date：12/23/2009
• Source： China Times

In the latest sign of economic recovery, 37 percent of businesses in Taiwan have indicated they plan to raise salaries next year, according to a survey released Dec. 22 by 1111 Job Bank.

The survey results also showed that 15 percent of firms would offer an average of 3.5 percent pay hikes. “Over the past six months, 24 percent of companies have recovered to operating levels equal to those before the financial storm hit,” said Henry Ho, public relations director of the job bank.

Domestic businesses are likely to gradually emerge from the nation’s worst recession in decades, as the survey found that revenue for the first quarter next year would see an 11-percent year-on-year growth.

More than 30 percent of companies said they expected the economy to recover next year, with around 60 percent planning to expand their business next year, making the first quarter of 2010 a hot one for “head-hunting,” Ho added.

The 104 Job Bank found the same signs of recovery. Its survey, released on the same day, showed that 55 percent of companies plan to hold large-scale recruiting events next year.

The survey also found over 80 percent of Taiwan’s white-collar employees have thought about switching jobs in the coming year, the highest rate in three years. (PCT-THN)