Global crisis is not deterring hiring in some sectors

Group 4 Securicor guard and protection company plans to hire some 4,000 employees in 2009, to increase its personnel by 40 percent, while another company in the field, BGS, intends to employ about 1,500 guards and protection agents in late 2008 and early 2009.

“Demand for guard and protection services are slightly on the rise during the crisis, as both individuals and companies want to ensure that their goods are safe,” according to BGS President, Bogdan Oprea. Group 4 Securicor officials agree. “The recession period will have not affect us. The need for security cannot disappear,” the company’s Country Manager, Liviu Tarsea, said. The need for protection services is stable and an increase in 2009 is expected, he added. Group 4 Securicor has some 10,800 employees. Most retail companies are also maintaining their employment plans announced for the end of this year and 2009, in spite of the current economic environment, and this is likely to generate a total 15,000 jobs on the local market. The main employers in the sector are hypermarkets Real, with over 2,200 vacancies, Carrefour, with some 1,500-1,800 jobs in 2009, and Auchan, with more than 2,000 jobs, and Plus Discount network, which will add 400 employees to its current staff.

Carrefour Romania’s Marketing Manager, Andreea Mihai, said the company is not impacted by the crisis. “We are not changing in any way our expansion plans,” she added.

“There are 30,000-40,000 jobs available in the retail sector and the food industry. Nobody wants to work in these fields, because it is hard work,” said Sorin Minea, President of the Romalimenta employers association. He added that the food industry has been having problems finding qualified staff for a long time.

In the IT sector, IBM Romania, the local subsidiary of the world’s largest IT service provider worldwide, plans to reach some 2,500 employees in 2009, more than double compared to the end of 2007.

Microsoft’s local subsidiary is also maintaining employment plans. “For Microsoft, Romania is a country in which investments are still being made,” according to the subsidiary’s General Manager, Calin Tatomir.

Furthermore, Ubisoft Entertainment video game producer plans to employ some 250 people by mid-2009, adding to its current 650 employees.

Employment plans are equally viable for telecom companies. By the end of the year, operator Orange Romania, is to increase personnel by 50 people, hiring a further 300 people in 2009.

These plans come in spite of disturbing news of the impact of the international crisis on Romania. Local companies in other fields are preparing restructuring and layoffs. According to data made available by the National Employment Agency (ANOFM), some 34,500 layoffs were announced by March 2009, with half to lose their jobs in December alone.