NEW DELHI, INDIA: A majority of Indian workers are preferring meaningful jobs over income and status even when the job market is shrinking in the wake of the global financial crisis, a survey said Tuesday.

About 62 percent of nearly 3,500 workers surveyed in the country said they will forego income or status to do something more meaningful, the survey by human resources solutions company Kelly Services said.

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Kelly Services, which surveyed nearly 100,000 people in 34 countries, said employees in India derive a greater sense of pride and self-confidence in their jobs than workers in any other country.

Of the total participants in India, 94 percent said their work gives them a sense of pride, while 92 percent said it raises their self-confidence.

"A significant number of people are actually prepared to give up some of their salary and their position if they can do something that is important and meaningful to them and their organisation," said Dhirendra Shantilal, senior vice-president, Kelly Services Asia-Pacific.

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The poll added that 62 percent of male workers and 60 percent of female workers are concerned about career prospects, and are looking for alternative jobs.

'Employees' aspirations will change markedly over the course of a career so it is important to recognise the things that are important at each stage in order to build and maintain a motivated, stable and high-performing workforce,' Shantilal said.