Demand for staffing services generally increased last year, but there are large variations in growth between different occupations, Poolia AB (POOLB: SS) Managing Director and CEO Morten Werner wrote in a commentary included in the company’s newly released annual report.

“While segments such as industry/manufacturing and warehousing/logistics showed high growth during the year, the categories in which Poolia operates, which primarily consist of staff functions such as finance, office support, legal and IT, experienced a slower rate of growth”, Werner wrote.

The economies of Sweden and Germany posted growth, but Finland’s economy continued a negative trend. Poolia operates in just those three countries after selling its UK operations in 2014.

Werner also took aim at criticisms leveled at the staffing industry over the past year.

“Certain politicians and unions criticised the staffing industry during the year, saying that the industry does not offer ‘proper jobs’", Werner wrote. “This was despite the fact that staffing companies offer exactly the same salaries, union agreements and employment security as any other employer. What is more, in the event of any cutbacks, our industry is better at finding new clients for our employees than an ‘ordinary’ employer”.

Poolia first reported annual revenue in February.