The number of temporary workers in Germany has reached a record high with 910,000 people having been in temporary employment as of 30 June 2011.  According to figures published by the Federal Employment Agency (BA), temporary workers are now approaching the one million mark and compared to earlier statistics, the number of temporary workers has increased by 13% or 103,000 in just a year. 

The report also found that one-third of temporary workers were employed as support staff while half of the temporary jobs turned out to be rather short-lived, lasting less than three months. It has also been revealed that agency and temporary work is mainly carried out by men and that two-thirds of temporary workers had not been in employment before taking up their posts.

"The figures show that the division within the labour market continues and that the number of those who are only able to find precarious work is on the increase," said Annelie Buntenbach, a board member of the Confederation of German Trade Unions (DGB). Many staffing agencies in the country now expect a stagnation in the market as the number of temporary workers is not forecasted to grow at a high level this year, as a spokesman of the German temporary employment agency (IGZ) commented. 

While trade unions continue to criticize the growth of temporary work The BA is a strong supporter of the industry and regards it as an important link to finding permanent employment.

“Temporary work offers employment opportunities for the unemployed, career-starters and for those returning to work,” stated the BA. This echoes a previous statement by the German Government, which has earlier this month praised the “many benefits” temporary work offers.