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Randstad boosted as job market begins to improve
RANDSTAD, the world’s second-largest staffing company, yesterday reported fresh demand for temporary workers, particularly in North America and Germany, as it beat third-quarter operating profit forecasts.
The Dutch company, a bellwether for economic health, said that in the face of a fragile recovery, firms are hiring more temporary staff, particularly in sectors which tend to pick up later in the cycle such as IT, accounting and administration. Third-quarter earnings were up 64 per cent year-on-year to €153m (£133.7m). Its earnings follow a wider trend of improving employment in western Europe, especially in Germany, where exports have helped cut unemployment.