Mexico’s employers report respectable hiring plans for the first quarter, according to a survey by ManpowerGroup Inc. (NYSE: MAN). The survey found 17% of employers in Mexico plan to increase staff in the upcoming quarter, 6% plan to make reductions and 75% expect no change, yielding a net employment outlook of 13% on a seasonally adjusted basis.

The forecast indicates hiring prospects are unchanged when compared with the previous quarter but up by one percentage point from one year ago, according to ManpowerGroup.

Positive forecasts were reported in all industry sectors and regions.

“México is expected to start the year with a steady hiring pace and slight growth due to a major stability in currency exchange and inflation, after the several fluctuations over the last two years,” said Héctor Márquez, commercial director for ManpowerGroup México and Central America. “A better employees´ quality of life is expected because of a constant growth trend in formal employment and the increase and the standardization of the minimum wage.”

“The forecast in the transport & communication industry sector is stronger for first quarter 2016, possibly on account of more investments triggered by the liberation of the sector by the Telecommunications´ Reform,” Márquez said. “In the meantime, manufacture will continue to be a highly important sector, mostly in automotive and aerospace industries, where there will be a big demand for specialized technical profiles.”

Below is the net employment outlook, seasonally adjusted, by sector:

• Transport and communication: +16%
• Manufacture: +15
• Services: +15
• Commerce: +14
• Construction: +12
• Agriculture and fishing: +9%
• Mining and extraction: +6%