Mexican employers reported positive hiring plans for the second quarter, according to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey released earlier this week by ManpowerGroup Inc. (NYSE: MAN).

The survey found 20% of employers in Mexico forecasted an increase in staffing levels in the upcoming quarter, 6% anticipated a decrease, 73% expected no change and 1% didn’t know their plans — yielding a net employment outlook of 12% on a seasonally adjusted basis.

The forecast indicates hiring prospects edged down by two percentage points when compared with the previous quarter but are unchanged from one year ago. Positive forecasts were reported in all industry sectors and regions.

“Despite the uncertainty and complications associated with the new US administration and potential trade policy changes, Mexican employers continue to report hopeful hiring plans,” said Héctor Márquez Pitol, marketing, key accounts and institutional relations director for ManpowerGroup MeCCA. “When compared with the previous quarter, hiring plans improve in three sectors but weaken in four regions. Year-over-year, outlooks strengthen in three sectors and four regions.”

Employers in the manufacture and services sectors report the most optimistic hiring intentions for the second quarter. However, manufacture prospects decreased by six percentage points when compared to the first quarter and by four percentage points year over year.

The net employment outlook, seasonally adjusted, by sector:

• Manufacture: up 16%
• Services: up 15%
• Transport and communication: up 14%
• Commerce: up 13%
• Agriculture and fishing: up 11%
• Construction: up 8%
• Mining and extraction: up 3%

ManpowerGroup’s employment outlook survey includes responses from 4,800 Mexican employers.