Belgium’s temporary employment sector recorded a decrease of 1.91% in August 2024 compared to the same period a year ago, according to the latest calendar-basis adjusted data from Federgon, the Belgian federation of staffing agencies.

The 1.91% decrease was due to a downturn in the number of hours of 0.30% in the blue-collar segment and a decrease of 3.87% in the white-collar segment.

In August 2024, the number of hours worked in temporary agency work increased by 0.46% compared to the previous month (based on figures adjusted for seasonal and calendar influences). This slight increase is attributable to a fall in both segments: the number of hours worked decreased by 0.02% in the blue-collar segment, but it increased by 0.74% in the white-collar segment.

The Federgon index stood at 88.36 points in August 2024, compared to 87.96 points the previous month. The index reflects the level of activity in the month under review compared to activity in January 2007 (base 100), based on seasonally adjusted figures.

Paul Verschueren, director of research & economic affairs at Federgon, said in a press release, “In August, we recorded a slight decline in staffing activity compared to August last year. Although there are no immediate fundamental changes in the economy and the labour market, activity came in slightly higher after the sharp decline in July.”