Globally, It's Not All Gloom and Doom.....

SINGAPORE--Singapore's employment jumped by a record 234,900, or 9.4%, in 2007, surpassing the gains of 176,000, or 7.6%, in 2006. The Singapore Ministry of Manpower attributed the increase to last year's robust economic growth of 7.7%.

MUMBAI--The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey for the second quarter of 2008 released reveals that the job market in India is expected to remain vibrant. Of the 32 countries and territories surveyed globally this quarter, hiring intentions among Indian employers continue to be among the most optimistic in the world with an overall Net Employment Outlook of +36%. Employers in all eight countries and territories surveyed across the Asia Pacific region anticipate positive hiring activity for the second quarter of 2008.

TORONTO--Canadian employers expect a positive hiring climate for the April to June period of 2008 according to the latest results of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, the most extensive, forward-looking employment survey in the world.

SYDNEY--Australia's unemployment rate dropped to a fresh 33-year low of 4.0% in February, according to official data released today. The Australian Bureau of Statistics said the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate fell from 4.2% in January as the number of full-time jobs in the economy jumped. The jobless rate, which came in below market expectations of 4.2%, is the lowest since data was collected in its current form in 1975.