Despite uncertainty in many parts of the European Union (EU), the region's agency work industry has continued to create employment opportunities.

This is according to the European Confederation of Private Employment Agencies (Eurociett), which has stated that the sector expanded by 4.7 per cent year-on-year in August this year.

"Even as unemployment levels are on the rise, the agency work industry has continued to create new jobs for people around Europe," declared Eurociett managing director Denis Pennel.

He added that the sector has seen year-on-year increases in hours worked for 17 months in a row.

Further data from Eurociett indicated there have been 17 months of consecutive growth in the agency work industry, although the pace of expansion has slowed recently as employment figures within the EU have contracted.

Markets that performed particularly strongly included an 8.3 per cent rise in agency work over the month in Switzerland and a 12.8 per cent climb in Italy.

Figures from Eurostat recently suggested the seasonally-adjusted jobless rate climbed from 9.6 per cent in August to 9.7 per cent in September this year across the 27 member states.

Posted by Alex Donnell