For the first time since the start of the economic crisis, the number of people in Israel being hired is outnumbering the number of employees being fired.

Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor official Benny Pfefferman reported that so far in the fourth quarter of 2009 the number of people hired was 23,200 higher than the number of people laid off. In contrast, in the third quarter of 2009 the number of people laid off was 6,200 higher than the number of people hired.

Pfefferman expects the number of the number of people being laid off or leaving a job of their own volition will total 98,200 in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared with 112,300 in the preceding quarter. In other words, 16,200 people will leave the employment market.

There was also a 3% rise in the number of vacant jobs in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared with the preceding quarter. However, the number of vacancies is still far below the level between 2006 and 2008.

The Ministry's survey also found optimism among employers for the first time since the crisis hit. Most employers felt that the first quarter of 2010 will see a rise in business activity, and therefore an improvement in the job market.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 14, 2009

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