In the third quarter of 2019 the total number of hours worked by temporary workers in Switzerland fell by 5.1% when compared to the previous year, according to data from Swiss Staffing, the Swiss Federation of Staffing Companies.

Since the beginning of the year the Swiss Staffing Index has recorded a drop of 4.1%.

According to Swiss Staffing, the decline in the temporary work sector is due to a slowdown in the economy as a whole.

“At times of low demand, incoming orders can increasingly be handled by the permanent workforce without having to bring in external staff,” Swiss Staffing said.

Economies across the world are currently faltering,” Swiss Staffing said. “According to the International Monetary Fund, 90% of all countries have experienced slower growth compared with the previous year. This is toxic to Switzerland's economic development, which is heavily driven by foreign trade.”