104 Job Bank: 57% of Taiwan's enterprises to add employees in 2004

Taipei, Dec. 2, 2003 (CENS)--A survey conducted late last month by the 104 Job Bank, Taiwan's largest job site, showed that 57% of the polled enterprises in Taiwan intend to recruit new employees in 2004, rising by 11 percentage points from last year's survey.

The 104 Job Bank disclosed that due to global economic recovery resulting in rising market demand, many domestic manufacturers are expanding their operations and intend to hire more workers next year. Of the employees to be recruited, technical talents are most wanted, followed by sales persons and blue-collar workers.

Yang Chi-kuan, general manager of 104 Job Bank, analyzed that the foreseeable better manufacturing climate next year is the main reason for the growing demand for blue-collar workers. The survey indicated that 7.9% of the enterprises would hire basic laborers next year, and the percentage is the highest of its kind in three years.

Yang said that currently there are 116,000 job opportunities available at the 104 Job Bank, about double the figure of last year. The job market seemed to gain strength again and saw a bounce back to the 2000's robust level. Among the available jobs, those offered by information technology firms, including computer & related products, optical telecommunications, semiconductors, computer software, and Internet, together took a lion share of more than 40%. Trading firms and financial institutions, mainly securities & insurance companies, followed with 6.1% and 5.9%, respectively. For instance, Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg. Co. (TSMC) has commissioned the 104 Job Bank to recruit 500 engineers this year to meet its expanding operations.

Yang noted that Taiwan's economy obviously regained its strength in the third quarter of this year, and predicted that there is 3%-5% range for the raise in wages next year.

Talents wanted by Taiwan's enterprises in 2004
Rank	Talent category	Ratio (%)
1	Information technical talents	44.4
2	Salespersons	32.4
3	Blue-collar workers	7.9
4	Marketing talents	5.9
5	Management staff	3.8
6	Customer service personnel	3.2
7	Administration staff	2.1
8	Financial talents	0.3

Source: 104 Job Bank