More than a third of Belgian companies with fewer than 100 workers plan to hire during the third quarter, according to the HR service provider SD Worx 36th survey published on Monday.
The highest percentage is among the largest (50 to 99 workers) — up to 86.5% plan to hire. One in five SMEs, however, said they now hesitate due to the uncertain political climate.
More than one in three (37.4%) Belgian SMEs would like to recruit. This is the first increase since June 2018, when the ambitions had reached their highest level since the beginning of the study (38.1%).
The percentage (intention to hire) has been fluctuating for six consecutive quarters at around a third (34.4% in the previous two quarters).
By region, hiring expectations concern 39% of SMEs in Brussels and Wallonia, and 36.3% in Flanders.
Expectations for work volume increase are not as optimistic, with 65% of companies anticipating a status quo and less than one in three (29.1%) an increase — the lowest measure since 2016.
The survey was conducted among 815 business leaders in June 2019.
The Brussels Times
