The number of hours worked by temporary staff in Switzerland increased by 1.9% in 2016 when compared to the previous year, according to figures from Swiss Staffing, the Swiss Federation for Staffing Companies.

The Swiss Staffing Index, which analysed data from approximately 200 temporary staffing companies, also showed that in the first quarter of 2017, the number of hours worked by temp workers increased by 3.3%, year-on-year.

“The temporary sector is at the heart of the Swiss economy. Temporary companies provide all short-term workforce,” Georg Staub, President of Swiss Staffing, said.

"The increase of 3.3% in the first quarter makes us optimistic about the development of the temporary sector in 2017,” Marius Osterfeld, an economist at Swiss Staffing, said. “The economy appears to be driving up.”

However, Osterfield also stated that there is concern over increasing efforts to regulate the Swiss labour market.

According to data from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office,  the unemployment rate stood at 3.3% in April.