More than 80 percent of employers in China have planned to increase employees' salaries by more than 6 percent year-on-year in 2012, according to a survey conducted by Hays PLC released on Thursday.

The UK-based recruiting consulting company said that robust economic growth in China prompts companies with operations in China to enhance employees' salary, in a bid to retain talents and support sustained business development in the emerging market.

Among the 291 surveyed employers from the Chinese mainland, 29 percent said they will increase salaries by at least 10 percent, while another 29 percent will add between 5 and 10 percent, and 13 percent of respondents will increase salaries by between 3 and 6 percent.

The surveyed industries include finance, high technology, education, manufacturing, energy and biological science. It also showed that in 2011, 72 percent of the respondents in China increased employees' salaries by more than 6 percent, with 51 percent reporting an increase of between 6 and 10 percent, and 21 percent offering an increase above 10 percent.

"Though the global economy is uncertain, China is still maintaining strong growth," said Simon Lance, regional director of Hays China. "In 2012, we expect to witness more companies here to focus on recruit and retain key talents, a move to promote their expansion."

In addition to the Chinese mainland, the survey covers Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong. Among more than 900 employers in the region, 64 percent said they expect business activity to increase and 41 percent expect their permanent staff levels to rise.