LONDON - The decline in permanent job placements in Britain slowed in August and companies stepped up the hiring of temporary workers, a survey showed on Monday.
British businesses have continued to create jobs over the past year, although the economy has been officially in recession, and unemployment has inched lower.
The indicator for permanent placements -- based on a survey from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and consultancy KPMG -- rose to 48.4 from 47.3 in July, with a reading below 50 still pointing to a decline in placements.
But recruitment agencies reported the first rise in temporary and contract employment in nine months, the REC said.
"This month's data shows yet again the remarkable level of resilience within the UK labour market as it continues to outperform predictions," REC chief executive Kevin Green said.
