The number of temporary workers in April increased by 5.2% when compared to a year ago, according to French job centre Pôle Emploi. This follows an 11% increase in March, and 7.6% in February, compared to the same period last year.

All together the data suggests the growth momentum the French market is experiencing may be starting to deflate. Furthermore the number of temporary workers fell by 1.9% in April when compared to the previous month.The total number of temporary workers on a seasonally adjusted basis stood at 641,500.

The number of temporary workers increased in the construction sector by 0.9% compared to the same period last year.  Meanwhile the number of temporary workers fell by 1.4% in the industrial sector and 3.6% in services sector, compared to the same period last year. 

Year-on-year, the number of temporary workers increased more for men (6.3%) than for women (1.7%).

Year-on-year, all professional categories except that of employees saw their number of temporary workers increase: + 8.1% for skilled workers, 5.1% for middle management and professions, 4.1% for unskilled workers and -2.2 for employees.

In April, the Auvergne and Rhône-Alpes recorded the largest increase (+ 1.2%) for temporary employment.