More hours worked in temp jobs

In the second quarter of 2012, the amount of hours worked in stage A temp jobs was 0.3 percent up from the preceding quarter. The increase in the first quarter was nearly 1 percent. The index figure (2005=100) for the number of hours worked in stage A was 116.0 in the second quarter versus 115.7 in the first quarter. The figures are adjusted for seasonal variation.

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 seasonally adjusted number of hours worked in stage B and C temp jobs grew by nearly 4 percent relative to the preceding quarter. The total amount of hours worked in temp jobs in the second quarter was nearly 2 percent higher than in the first quarter.

The number of hours worked in temp jobs is the only labour market indicator to show an upward trend. The number of jobs and the number of job vacancies declined further in the second quarter. Unemployment continued to rise in July and currently more than half a million people in the Netherlands are unemployed. 

Hours worked in stage A temp jobs