In the fourth quarter of 2019 the total number of hours worked by temporary workers in Switzerland fell by 6.2% 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 decrease of 4.7%.

Swiss Staffing said the market remains difficult within the temporary work sector. It also pointed to a weak global economy.

“As for the strong franc, it makes the international economic environment even more difficult for the Swiss economy,” Marius Osterfeld, economist, Swissstaffing, said.

However, Osterfeld added that ‘no further degradation is looming on the horizon’.