The number of temporary workers in France declined by 9.8% in January 2024 compared to the same period a year ago, according to the latest Prism’emploi barometer.

When compared to December, the number of temporary workers in France fell by 2.0%

The barometer added that January’s results “must be interpreted with caution due, this year, to the positioning of the Christmas school holidays, half in January, and more unfavourable climatic conditions than in 2023.”

According to Prism’emploi, temporary employment, which had increased slightly in the second half of 2023 in construction, recorded a 10.8% annual decline, which the barometer said was “undoubtedly aggravated by episodes of cold limiting work on certain sites.”

At the same time, due to the persistent sluggishness of household consumption, the commerce sector reported a 12.0% decline in temporary work.

Further sectoral data showed that temporary employment saw year-on-year decreases in services (-7.9%), transport (-8.4%), and industry (-10.7%).

Prism’ Emploi noted that all qualifications were down. Temporary employment decreased among managers and intermediate professions by 4.7%). This was followed by skilled workers (-9.2%), unskilled workers (-11.2%) and employees (-12.1% ).

All regions recorded a year-on-year decline in January 2024 with Grand Est recording the steepest  fall of 13.9%. This was followed by Normandie (-12.3%) and Bourgogne-France-Comté (-12.0%).