Fewer hours worked in temp jobs

The amount of hours worked in stage A temp jobs was nearly 2 percent down in the first quarter of 2012 from the fourth quarter of 2011. The number of hours worked in stage A temp jobs declined for the third consecutive quarter. Adjusted for seasonal variation, the index figure (2005=100) for the number of hours worked in stage A was 111.4 versus 113.2 in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Stage A includes 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.

The situation on the labour market has deteriorated over the past few months. The number of job vacancies and the number of hours worked in temp jobs deteriorated for the third quarter running. Unemployment is rising. The number of jobs of employees fell marginally in the first quarter relative to the fourth quarter of 2011. 

Hours worked in stage A temp jobs