The number of hours worked by temporary workers in Switzerland fell by 6.1% in the second quarter of 2019 when compared to the same period last year, according to data from Swiss Staffing, the Swiss Federation of Staffing Companies.

Since the start of the year, the decline in temp workers’ hours stands at 3.8%.

Swiss Staffing says the decline is due to falling demand for staff in the industrial and construction sectors. The temporary staffing sector is reflecting the declining growth figures for exports and the construction sector. It added that the service sector is on a par with the previous year.

The staff leasing sector is shrinking, even though the Swiss economy is still growing (albeit at a slower pace),” Marius Osterfeld, economist at Swiss Staffing, said. “Companies often make use of staff leasing at times of peak labour demand. When growth levels are lower, tasks are increasingly covered by permanent staff, and when more staff are required, existing temporary positions are turned into permanent ones, but no new temporary staff are deployed.”

“However, future prospects remain good, Osterfeld added. “Economic forecasts currently indicate a short period of economic weakness, rather than a long-term downturn.”