The total amount of hours worked by temporary workers in the Netherlands grew by 5% in the second period of 2018 when compared to the same period in 2017, according to annual figures from the Dutch Federation of Private Employment Agencies (ABU).

ABU divides the year into four-week periods, with the second period (week 5-8) recently completed. Because this period counted as many workable days as the same period last year, no correction has been applied.

Turnover among temporary workers increased by 8% in the second period of 2018 when compared to the previous year.

Temporary workers in the administrative sector saw their hours decrease by 3% compared to the same period last year while turnover also decreased by 2% in the same period.

Hours worked by temporary workers in the industrial sector saw an increase of 9% and turnover increased 14% compared to last year. Furthermore, the amount of worked hours in the technical sector increased by 8% while turnover increased by 11% compared to the same period last year. 

According to figures from Eurostat, the statistical body of the European Union, the Dutch unemployment rate stood at 4.2% in January.