Singapore - While recruitment plans have come to a standstill, only one in five employees say they fear for their job security.

According to a survey by Achieve Group, 79% of the 500 people surveyed say they do not feel that their job security is under threat.

The survey, which was conducted in mid-November, found that 64% of key employment decision-makers say their recruitment plans for Q1 2009 have been affected by the downturn. Out of which, 52% would freeze hiring while only 2% look to retrench staff.

The manufacturing sector appears to be the worst hit, with 61% of manufacturing companies reporting a freeze in hiring this quarter.

Salary increments have also dipped as 57% of respondents say they would only offer a salary increment of less than 10%. Only a mere 2% say they would offer an increment of more than 20% as well.

Joshua Yim, founder and CEO of Achieve Group, says the survey reflects that while recruitment has taken a hit, there is still room for hiring within specific industries. "Additionally at this time of conducting this survey, the prospect of retrenchment is still not rampant," he adds.