Mexican employers report steady hiring plans for the upcoming quarter, according to a survey by ManpowerGroup Inc. (NYSE: MAN). Ongoing NAFTA negotiations appear to have little effect on overall employer confidence.

The survey found 18% of employers in Mexico forecast an increase in staffing levels in the upcoming quarter; 4% anticipate a decrease, 77% expect no change and 1% don’t know their plans. This yields a net employment outlook of 12% on a seasonally adjusted basis — unchanged when compared to hiring intentions for the previous quarter and when compared to the same survey conducted at this time last year.

“The Outlook for the country does not signal major shifts in employer confidence for 2Q 2018,” said Monica Flores, president of ManpowerGroup Latin America. Employers' hiring plans remain upbeat overall despite the renegotiation of NAFTA and the coming elections, she said.

The net employment outlook, seasonally adjusted, by sector:

• Transport and communication: up 19%
• Manufacturing: up 13%
• Mining and extraction: up 13%
• Services: up 11%
• Agriculture and fishing: up 10%
• Commerce: up 9%
• Construction: up 9%

ManpowerGroup’s employment outlook survey data include responses from 4,804 employers in Mexico.