The number of temporary workers in France remained steady for the second consecutive month in August, edging up 0.1% year-on-year, according to the Barometer report by Prism’Emploi, the French association of employment agencies. This follows a year-on-year increase of 0.3% in July.

The 0.1% growth was a slowdown following temporary employment growth of 0.3% in July and 7.1% in June; however, the market remains at a historically high level, according to Prism’Emploi.

However, growth differed between sectors.

The services sector grew by a sharp 9.6% in August, led by the health and social services, telecommunications, computer services and business assistance sectors. Temporary work continues to grow at a more modest pace than in the first half of the year in construction — up 1.7% in August compared to 4.5% in the first half — and in transport, where growth slowed to 0.8% in August from 14.6% in the first half of the year. 

The decline in temporary work continues in industry, falling 3.3% in August after a 2.8% drop in July. Temporary work also continues to weaken in commerce, decreasing 0.9% in August and 2.9% in July.

Among occupational categories, the number of temporary staff increased among managers and intermediate professions, up 4.8%, as well as for employees, up 3.3%. Temporary employment decreased by 0.9% for skilled workers and by 2.2% among unskilled workers.