The number of hours worked by temporary workers in Switzerland fell by 6.0% in the three months to July 2019 when compared to the same period last year, according to data from Swiss Staffing, the Swiss Federation of Staffing Companies.

The 6.0% decline was a slight improvement over the previous three months’ period decline of 6.1%.

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

Marius Osterfeld, economist at Swiss Staffing, said a period of stabilisation could occur.

The KOF Business Survey (business cycle research) also indicates a stabilisation phase. After seven consecutive declines, the values ​​of this indicator remained at the same level in June and July. 

Swiss Staffing found that the manufacturing industry is still in recession, but the construction and restaurant sectors are experiencing positive impulses. 

“The similar evolution presented in the KOF survey and in the Swiss Staffing index proves once again that, as a mirror of the Swiss economy, our branch (temporary work) anticipates the developments of the economy,” Osterfeld said.

“Flexibility and social protection: compared to other forms of work, temporary work plays a precursory role,” Swiss Staffing stated. “The existing model could also be the solution to secure emerging forms of work through platforms.”