GERMANY: Companies plan to hire more staff

German companies intend to hire more people, with the Ifo Employment Barometer rising to 108.3 points in August from 107.2 in the previous month. In all sectors except manufacturing, more companies plan to hire additional employees. The robust economy in Germany is having a positive effect on the labour market, the Munich-based research institute said.

Only in manufacturing have again fewer companies reported that they plan to hire new employees, the Ifo said. In vehicle construction in particular, the willingness to hire weakened.
Because of the very positive consumer sentiment, retailers and wholesalers intend to expand their workforce. This also applies to the construction industry. In the services sector, the employment barometer has risen to its highest level since April 2011.