The number of hours worked by temporary workers in Switzerland recorded a decrease of 4.9% in the three months to May 2019 when compared to the same period last year, according to data from Swiss Staffing, the Swiss Federation of Staffing Companies.

Comparing growth since the beginning of the year with the previous year’s figures, Swiss Staffing noted a decline of 3.2%. The declining trend in the industry is triggered by weak overall economic growth which is continuing, according to Swiss Staffing.

“The economic indicators of the temporary work branch show that the decline in working hours is due to the conversion of temporary jobs into fixed jobs,” Marius Osterfeld, Economist at Swiss Staffing said. “This is a classic phenomenon at the end of a business cycle.”

“Some temporary workers are hired by companies who wish to retain qualified specialists,” Osterfeld said. “But due to lower orders, no new temporary employees are hired. This phenomenon is currently apparent in all sectors, from construction to services and industry.”