Employees can look forward to a salary increase of 7.8 percent this year, more than the 5.1 percent they got last year, according to a survey on dismissal and salary adjustment of Chinese employees.

The annual survey 51job Inc conducted from October to December 2009 found that two-thirds of the 3,368 companies in 19 industries, especially high-technology and science, transport and logistics, trade and manufacturing, will increase the budget for human resources, including training costs.

The survey also revealed the number of employees who left their jobs last year was the smallest in five years as about 15.9 percent quit, making up around 70 percent of the number who left in 2008. In 2008, 23.1 percent quit and in 2007, 22.3 percent left their jobs.

Of those who left last year, 88.7 percent quit voluntarily, down from 94.2 percent in 2008.

The global economic downturn last year trimmed the number of vacancies compared with 2008, and this may explain the drop in the number of employees leaving, the report said. A small salary increase and a shrinking income gap between companies may also account for the fall.

The report forecasts a jump in job-hopping in the short term as the economy is recovering.

Employees in high-technology firms topped the dismissal list last year. But marketing professionals seemed to find new jobs easily despite the gloomy economic environment. Nearly 30 percent of them quit last year, with 19 in 20 leaving voluntarily, the report said.

It also found the level of dissatisfaction felt by employees about their employers stayed the same as in 2008, with complaints of slow salary increase, employers keeping workers in the dark about company's operations and little caring for them.

Employers also were displeased with their workers who, they felt, lack knowledge in their jobs, were disloyal and lack professional pride.