JTI: personnel costs up 20 percent in 2008

“The hike in costs is not due to a rise in personnel in 2008, as the number of employees remained relatively stable compared to 2007,” according to the company’s Human Resource Manager, Monica Vijeu.

For 2009, the company has no plans to hire additional personnel. The current team includes some 800 employees. “In 2009, there will be significant growth in salaries in the tobacco industry, similar to 2008. This is caused by the personnel deficit.  The tobacco industry seems to be less affected than other industries by the economic crisis,” Vijeu said. Last year, salary growth in multinationals in the field amounted to 12-13 percent.

Personnel turnover within JTI increased some 2-3 percent in the past two years, especially in the sales area, where it exceeds 10 percent. “It all depends on how long the crisis lasts, but is unlikely that personnel stabilization will be reached in the coming two years,” Vijeu added.