46 million people get a job through private employment ... - Ciett

Press release
46 MILLION PEOPLE GET A JOB
THROUGH PRIVATE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES EACH YEAR
259€ Billion industry is a leading economic indicator
Brussels, 27 March 2013 – A new report published today by Ciett, the international
confederation of private employment services, finds that 46 million people are employed as
agency workers each year - equivalent to 12.4 million full time jobs.
Ciett President Fred Van Haasteren stated “46 million people is only a small percentage of
the world’s working population. However, our industry plays an important role in the labour
market by contributing to a better and faster match between the supply and demand of
work.”
“The Agency Work Industry Around the World” report confirms the industry’s position as a
leading economic indicator with data showing the number of agency workers changing in
time with GDP fluctuations and ahead of labour markets at large. Ciett managing director
Denis Pennel commented “Agency work jobs are often the first to go during periods of crisis,
but when economic recovery does begin, they are the first jobs to be created. During the
recent global recession, the industry reached its lowest level in during the second quarter of
2009 before beginning its recovery. This recovery has continued in the US throughout 2012,
while in Europe the industry began to contract again in January 2012 mirroring GDP trends.
The 259€ Billion industry has over 140,000 private employment agencies operating around
the world, employing 863,000 staff internally across 179,000 branches. The United States is
the largest market accounting for 23% of global annual sales revenues, followed by Japan
(17%) and the UK (11%). The combined sales revenue of European countries accounts for
41% of global turnover, making it the largest region in the world, ahead of Asia/Pacific (25%)
and North America (24%).
The report demonstrates that agency work is successful in transitioning people through the
labour market. It proves particularly effective in bringing people into work following periods of
unemployment in countries as diverse as South Africa, Germany, Greece and Sweden. In
South Africa for example, 60% of people entering agency work were previously unemployed,
while after one year of agency work only 8% had returned to unemployment.
The report also provides information on the profile of people who work through private
employment services showing that agency workers are typically young, with 57% aged 30
years or less in Europe. This is in keeping with the industry’s position as an entry point to the
labour market for many young people and a stepping stone into permanent contracts.
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Press release
The industry’s commitment to building better functioning labour markets is reflected in Ciett’s
global pledges. Within the next five years, Ciett’s members will:
‣ Support 280 million people in their job life
‣ Help 75 million young people enter the labour market
‣ Up-skill 65 million people, giving them more work choices
‣ Create 18 million more jobs
‣ Serve 13 million companies with the right talents to succeed
Notes to the Editors
About Ciett
Ciett is the authoritative organisation representing the interests of the reputable private
employment agencies across the world. Recognised as such by international organisations
(e.g. EU institutions, International Labour Organisation, OECD, World Bank), Ciett
represents the industry at large with 7 of the world’s largest staffing companies as well as 48
national federations from all over the world.
Ciett operations are organised across the globe through regional entities. For instance,
Eurociett represents the private employment services in Europe, Clett&a in South America
and Asiaciett in Northern and Southern Asia/Pacific. Through their network of 179,000
branches and their 863,000 permanent employees, Ciett members employ 12.4 million
workers (daily full time equivalent) and 46 million on a yearly basis. They deliver services
through the full spectrum of human resources, including temporary agency work,
recruitment, interim management, executive search, outplacement and training.
As the voice of labour choice, Ciett promotes the vital role that private employment services
play in helping organisations, economies and individuals facilitate adaptation to change, and
their capacity to increase labour market participation, reduce unemployment, build better
labour markets and deliver decent work. Members of Ciett refuse to compete at the expense
of workers’ rights and work hand-in-hand with governments and trade unions to fight illegal
work and social dumping. However, Ciett also recognises that inadequate regulation and a
small number of disreputable agencies can prevent the industry from fulfilling its potential.
For further information, please contact:
James Gribben
Ciett Communications & Economic Affairs Advisor
+32 (0) 242 115 87
James.gribben@ciett.org
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