Market conditions in France are deteriorating further, as revealed in the latest employment barometer by the French association of employment agencies (PRISME). In November 2012, the number of hours worked fell sharply by -17.1%, compared with the same period in 2011.

Major sectors were hit by the decline, particularly the industrial and construction sectors, which contracted by -20.5% and -16.0% respectively. In the service sector, this figure dropped by -13.8%, while in both transport and commerce sectors, temporary employment decreased by -11.5%, compared with November 2011.

All job categories suffered from the downward trend. Blue collar workers were most affected as the number of skilled (ouvriers qualifiés) and unskilled workers (ouvriers non-qualifiés) declined by -18.6% and -19.1% respectively. Professionals and managers (cadres et professions intermédiaires) recorded a drop of -12.3%, compared to a -12.8% decline among white collar workers (employés).

The eastern region of France recorded notable falls in temporary employment, declining sharply across Franche-Comté (-29.0%), Alsace (-24.5%) and Champagne-Ardenne (-23.6%).