Manpower, the major employment services provider, recently announced a 2-per-cent raise for its staff as a policy to curb economic hardship and energise its organisation.

Manpower country manager Simon Matthews said the economic situation where the cost of living has risen significantly - particularly in the prices of petrol and consumer goods - had financially affected the company's entire staff.

"Manpower is well aware of the situation, and as a measure to provide relief and ease the increased burden of our employees, we have approved a cost-of-living allowance of Bt500 per month to be paid to our full-time employees, on-site staff, and contracted staff whose average income per month including commissions does not exceed Bt25,000, based on the first-quarter database," he said.

The allowance will be processed separately from salary, effective from June 1.

"The move will bring a positive result of increased confidence in the efficiency of our business operation and reflects our good corporate image as the provider of services that also include the recruitment of personnel."

The Ethisphere Institute recently named Manpower to Ethisphere's 2008 "World's Most Ethical Companies" from its consideration of 3,000 organisations.

The award was revealed at an Ethisphere and Forbes joint conference entitled "Driving Profit through Ethical Leadership" that was held on June 3.

"It's an honour for the Manpower team to receive affirmation for the work they accomplish from such a prestigious source," said Manpower chairman and CEO Jeff Joerres.

Manpower operates under five brands: Manpower, Manpower Professional, Elan, Jefferson Wells and Right Management.

This article was first published in The Nation on June 14, 2008.