Asia-Pacific firms are struggling to find “high-potential and critical-skill’ employees because of the growing demand for stronger manpower across the region.

“A vast majority of companies in Asia-Pacific continue to struggle with attracting and retaining the high-potential and critical-skill employees necessary to increase their global competitiveness,” according to a new survey conducted by global professional services company Towers Watson.

The Towers Watson Global Talent Management and Rewards Survey found that 79 percent of employers in Asia-Pacific are having problems attracting critical-skill employees, while others have difficulty attracting high-potential employees.

Employers also encountered retention challenges with close to three quarters of respondents experiencing difficulties retaining critical-skill and high-potential employees at 70 percent and 67 percent, respectively.

“The demand for key talent is as strong as ever, in spite of challenging economic conditions and heightened global competition. We find that many employers are not taking advantage of opportunities to attract, retain and engage key talent by offering a value proposition, work environment and the total rewards programs that are most important to them,” said Dhritiman Chakrabarti, Asia-Pacific Leader of Rewards at Towers Watson.

He said that in fact, there appears to be a mismatch between what employers are offering and what employees are looking for.

The survey found out, on the other hand, that Philippines’ attrition rate was lower compared to the other fast growing countries in the region, which include China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Turnover was reported to have remained the same or increased over the last 12 months while hiring was greater than peers in the region.

Hiring activity in the Philippines was higher compared to other countries, the survey added.

According to the survey, employees in Asia-Pacific are more focused on competitive base pay, job security and convenient work location.

In the Philippines, besides base pay and job security, employers perceived health care and wellness benefits among the top attraction drivers.