The number of hours worked by agency workers picked up in June and July, following a slowdown in May, according to the latest Agency Work Business Indicator from Eurociett, the European Confederation of Private Employment Agencies.

Across Europe, agency workers worked, on average, +2.7% more hours in July 2014 than during the same month last year. This compares with growth of +0.8% in May, and +4.5% in both March and April 2014.    

Growth accelerated in the Netherlands and Italy; while, despite impressive year-on-year growth of +9.2% in August, the number of hours worked in Belgium eased from +12% in July. Agency work in Switzerland continues to fluctuate, rebounding to +6.8%, up from -5.6% last month.

Figures from Germany for the first half of 2014 were readjusted by Eurociett during the previous report.

Norway was, once again, the only country to report a decrease in revenue. With year-on-year growth of +5% during Q2 2014, Sweden reported its best ever quarter in terms of revenue.

Poland reported growth of +26%. While other countries also continue to show positive growth, most notably Finland, which rebounded after a slump in May.    

Belgium – In August the number of hours worked by temporary agency workers increased by +9.2% compared with last year. The number of hours worked by blue collar workers increased by +8.5%, while white collar workers worked +10.1% more hours.

France – Following revenue growth of +0.8% during Q2 2014, compared with Q2 2013, revenue from temporary agency work increased, year-on-year, by +1.5% in July. There was a reduction of -2.9% in the number of temporary workers during August, however, this data should be interpreted carefully as August is an atypical month.

The Netherlands – In period 8 (weeks 29 – 32) the number of hours worked by temporary workers increased by +9%, while revenue increased by +8%, compared with the same period last year.

Norway – There was a decline of -4.8% in the number of hours worked by agency workers during the first quarter of 2014, compared with the same period last year. Revenue, however, remained unchanged, indicating a slight price increase. In line with the cooling Norwegian economy, declines were noted across most occupation categories.

Sweden – The staffing industry reported revenue of just over SEK 5.5 billion (€) during Q2 2014, an increase of +5% compared with the same quarter last year. Since 2011, quarterly revenue has remained stable at around SEK 5 billion (€). Staffing accounted for 88% of industry turnover, while outsourcing comprised 6%; and outplacement and recruitment each account for 3%.  

The UK – Temporary and contract billings increased for the sixteenth consecutive month during August 2014. The rate of growth remained strong, despite easing to its slowest pace since May 2014. Rising levels of business activity were reported to have underpinned the latest expansion of demand for temporary workers.