The number of hours worked by temporary workers in Switzerland recorded a decrease of 2.7% in the three months to April 2019 when compared to the same period last year, according to data from Swiss Staffing, the Swiss Federation of Staffing Companies.

Since the beginning of the year, the number of hours worked has declined by 2% year-on-year with the first quarter of 2019 reporting a decrease of 1.3%, year-on-year.

“The low number of available workers and the emerging economic slump are leaving more and more clear traces in the industry's growth,” Marius Osterfeld, economist at Swiss Staffing, said.

According to the economic forecast of the KOF (business cycle research), the downturn affects all sectors.

In particular, the pharmaceutical industry is seeing weakening exports, while construction, which is a major driver and pillar of growth, is also losing ground due to overcapacity and weak housing demand. Swiss Staffing added that the service sector is also suffering.