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Belgium – Staffing industry reports growth in Q3

17 December 2014

Following an increase in domestic and foreign demand, the Belgian economy grew by +0.9% during the third quarter, compared with the same period last year, and +0.3% compared with the second quarter, according to Federgon, the Belgian Federation of Staffing Agencies.

As a result of improved consumer confidence, improvement was noted in the labour market. Employment increased by +0.5%, while short-term unemployment declined by -7.5%.  

Compared with Q3 2013, the number of hours worked by temporary workers increased by +5.6%, however, quarter-on-quarter the industry remained relatively unchanged with a marginal decline of -0.05%.

Year-on-year, there were +5.9% more hours worked by blue-collar workers, while the number of hours worked by white-collar workers increased by +5.3%. When compared with the previous quarter, the number of hours worked by blue-collar workers decreased by -0.6%, while white collar workers worked +0.7% more hours.

All three regions reported an increase in the number of hours worked by temporary workers, when compared with the same period last year. The strongest increase was reported in Brussels (+9.3%); followed by Wallonia (+6.1%), and Flanders (+5%).

Quarter-on-quarter, Brussels was the only region to report an increase in the number of hours worked (+2.5%); while Flanders reported a marginal decline of -0.06% and Wallonia declined by -0.6%.

To read the full report, click here. (French or Dutch only)