The Brussels and East Flemish SMEs have the largest recruitment plans in the second quarter. Four in ten plan to recruit staff. Only 7 percent of SMEs are considering dismissal. This was evident from a survey on Tuesday by HR company SD Worx among 870 SME business leaders.
Together with the SMEs of East Flanders, the bosses in Brussels are at the top of the list when it comes to employers’ intentions to recruit more people. In Brussels, 42 percent say they will hire staff before the end of June. Only 7 percent of SMEs are considering dismissal.
“Brussels and East Flemish SMEs stand out positively this quarter, with the largest recruitment plans and the lowest dismissal intentions,” says Annelies Rottiers, SME advisor at SD Worx. According to her, SMEs in Brussels are also the least affected by long vacancies: “so it is mainly about a new supply of jobs.”
By comparison: In Flanders and Wallonia, on average, one in three SMEs has recruitment plans. This is similar to the same period last year. It is striking that the employment intentions of SMEs in industry and construction have decreased from 41 percent to 34 percent of SMEs. Moreover, this often involves replacements instead of new jobs.
SD Worx has been keeping its finger on the pulse since 2010 through a quarterly SME survey. In 2018, the HR specialist set a record in Brussels. At that time, half of the employers wanted to hire someone.
