Substantial increase in number of temp jobs

The number of hours worked in temp jobs increased by nearly 5 percent in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter. Adjusted for seasonal variation, the index figure (2005=100) for the number of hours worked in stage A was 107.3, as against 102.3 in the previous quarter.

The number of hours worked in temp jobs grew for the first time in nearly two years. This tallies with the current state of the economy. Temp job agencies are the first to be affected by a diminishing demand for goods and services. By now, demand is picking up. According to the Survey on Business Services conducted by Statistics Netherlands, providers of temp jobs have been very optimistic about future employment in their branch lately.

Stage A includes the people working for temp agencies on a contract basis without regular terms of employment. In stage A, it is easier for both parties – employer and employee – to terminate the contract than in the subsequent stages B and C.

Hours worked in stage A temp jobs