Temp agencies will provide less work in 2014 because of low economic growth and continuing unemployment, ABN Amro economists said on Tuesday.

The bank’s economists base their comments on figures released last week by the central statistics agency CBS and sector organisation ABU.

These gave a mixed picture of developments, showing people on short-term contracts are working 1.6% fewer hours, and those with a fixed or long-term contract are working 2.7% additional hours.

The overall picture is still one of decreasing hours of work, although the decrease is slowing, the bank said.

ABN Amro expects any increase in jobs to be just 0.5% in 2014 because of the increased number of people looking for work and the economic forecast of 0.4% growth.

However, say the economists, the temp agency sector is not a good indication of the health of the economy which is showing signs of fragile growth. This will gradually work through into employment opportunities, they say.