The number of jobs available for agency workers in Europe climbed further in April this year compared with the same month of 2010, new figures have revealed.

According to the European Confederation of Private Employment Agencies (Eurociett), the sector expanded by 18.1 per cent, marking 13 consecutive periods of growth.

Compared with the same period of 2010, the temporary jobs sector is returning to levels last seen before the financial markets crisis.

The organization explained that the agency labor market is reflecting wider shifts in European employment and the pace of growth has slowed as the recovery continues.

However, Switzerland witnessed a sharp annual rise of 43.2 per cent, while Italian agency workers completed 27.1 per cent more hours in jobs than the same time last year and France saw sales revenue in the field jump 16.5 per cent in April 2011.

"There continues to be a strong inverse correlation between year on year change in the number of unemployed people in the EU 27 and evolution of hours worked in the agency work industry," commented Denis Pennel, managing director of Eurociett.

A 21.6 per cent year-on-year increase in agency work activity was recorded by the body in March.

Posted by Alex Donnell